By Kari Welch
Mary Poppins is a cultural icon, from her hat and umbrella to the magical valise she carries as she floats in on the wind to rescue a family from disconnection. We immediately picture Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke leading the Banks children down a magical path. Cottage Theatre’s production leads an audience down the same path on an enchanting journey.
From the first moment that Mary Poppins (played by Jodi Arend) soars across the stage, we know magic is about to happen. With flying actors, a bottomless bag, and repairs done with a snap of the fingers, Cottage Theatre pulls out all the stops, creating awe-inspiring feats that we might find only at a magic show. It is a delight and a wonder to witness the care put into the seemingly impossible technical needs this show requires.
The magic doesn’t stop there. Arends’s voice is as sweet as a spoonful of sugar. She brings a practically perfect blend of gentle authority and whimsy to the beloved governess. Dylan Bunten soars as Bert, chim-chimneying his way through some of the show’s biggest numbers. Overall, the show is well cast; packed with good performances — including a delightful appearance by Executive Director Susan Goes, who can be found feeding the birds.
The Broadway adaption retains all of the most memorable songs from the original Disney movie and adds a few new toe-tappers. Packed with movement, the choreography is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious — sometimes emphasizing a song and sometimes bursting into full joyous Step in Time dance numbers.
And joy is truly the takeaway here. This is what Cottage Theatre does best — big ensemble shows that radiate community spirit. The warmth and enthusiasm of the audience deepen that sense of connection, reinforcing the theater’s core values of building a community that goes beyond the performers onstage.
At its heart, Mary Poppins reminds us of what is truly important: connection, kindness, and choosing to see the magic in life. She brings together parents who are distracted and distant from each other — and their children — by demonstrating that discipline and responsibility need not be odious when mixed with fairness and imagination. It is discovering and appreciating the people in our community and making our choices with care for others that brings connection and fulfillment.
A little lesson in an age where so many distractions can keep us from seeing that life can be a Jolly Holiday after all.
Editor’s Note: Mary Poppins continues at Cottage Theatre through April 27, 2025
When: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. on April 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26; Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. on April 6, 13, and 27 (note: no performance on April 20, Easter Sunday)
Where: 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
Tickets: $35 for adults, $15 for youths, available by telephone at 541-942-8001 or online at cottagetheatre.org
