Each year, the Cinnaminson High School Drama Club puts on a spectacular performance, showcasing talent from across all grade levels.

This year’s show was Mary Poppins, which starred seniors Sarah Peska and Christine Trimble as opening and closing cast as Mary Poppins. Both actors brought exuberant energy to the stage, beautifully capturing the cheerful essence of Mary Poppins that the character has become known for throughout the years.

Mary’s chipper chimney sweep companion Bert was portrayed by sophomore Wes Hopkins opening night and junior Michael Zelinka closing night.

Rambunctious children Jane and Michael Banks were played by freshmen Mary O’Malley and Matt Abrams during all four performances.

Sophomore Christopher Stavalone and freshman Sean Bove played George Banks, the stuffy patriarch of the Banks family while seniors Amanda Adams and  Charlotte Day-Smith portrayed his wife, Winifred Banks. Mrs. Banks was a surprisingly well developed character in the sense that, while much of the play is centered on Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins, the audience was given a background into her life. The character was not simply the children’s mother. She was her own person with emotions and conflicts. Her husband expected her to take on the traditional role of a wife during the time period and she had difficulty meeting his standards without losing her individuality.

Act I ended with Mary Poppins flying away from the house on Cherry Tree Lane, claiming she will return again when “Mr. Banks realizes his need for her.” Act II then began with the Banks house in a panic preparing for the arrival of their new nanny. Miss Andrews, Mr. Banks old nanny, took the spot of Mary Poppins however instead of offering “spoonfuls of sugar” she punished the children with “Brimstone and Treacle.”

Sophomore Kate Gaffney and Nicole Peak wowed the audience with their wide vocal ranges as they portrayed the wicked Miss Andrews in the opening and closing casts, respectively. Servants Mrs. Brill and Robertson Ay were played by sophomore Abaigh Mayer and junior Steven Piotrowski opening night, and junior Bianca Acetti and sophomore Michael Trimble closing night.

Strobe lights were used twice in the performance and were meant to, perhaps, create an eerie atmosphere around the scene or to convey the knowledge that some form of magic was being used. It was difficult to determine exactly what the lights were intended to do and because of that, the use of strobe lights in general seemed unnecessary and a bit out of place. Such scenes included the “Nanny Battle” between Miss Andrews and Mary Poppins or when Mary brought one of the children’s dolls to life to teach them a lesson. The play went along well with all but a few technological glitches. Misdirection of spotlights left a few instances where actors were twirling around in darkness. Aside from a few technical hiccups, the special effects were well executed.

Special effects used in the play included, but were not limited to, an advertisement (written by Jane and Michael) that was thrown into the fireplace in the Banks’ home was seen floating up the chimney, being sent to Mary Poppins. Alexa Boone’s performance as the statue in the park was spectacular. She stood completely still for the duration of the scene before climbing off of her pedestal and dancing across the stage, giving a still object life. The most anticipated effect of the play was Mary Poppins flying.

Mary flew four times in each performance. The swift costume changes and almost seamless special effects added magic to the whimsical music and detailed sets. Overall, Mary Poppins was a wonderful, well-developed show full of wonder and magic. The play was able to capture the true essence of Disney’s Mary Poppins and hit the audience with pangs of nostalgia as everyone hummed along to the familiar tunes.