The sheer exuberance of Mary Poppins on stage

In December, 2004, Mary Poppins, the musical, opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End. Produced by Walt Disney Theatrical, it has thus been the only Disney musical that premiered in the U.K. Given the charming books by P.L.Travers, this only seemed appropriate. Fast forward eleven years to December, 2015, and Mary Poppins arrived at The Duluth Playhouse, much closer to home. I hope you are able to go, even though tickets are certainly scarce.
I went last Friday night and had a wonderful experience. In particular, Ali Littrell Finstrom seemed to be everything Mary Poppins is supposed to be, including Practically Perfect. Her manner with the kids, the adults, and the folks on the street was always very present, and very Mary Poppins. Finstrom was comfortable speaking to the entire audience, so she seemed quite real as she moved from left to right across the stage.
As George Banks, Jeffrey Madison was the other actor who was able to communicate to the audience every moment he was on stage. His gift for assuming stage personalities is huge, and he is very comfortable singing in small venues like The Playhouse. In the middle of the Playhouse, the sound of the keyboard dominated too much of the performance. Perhaps it sounded balanced in the sound booth, but in the house no other instruments were audible (there were seven), and the singers were mostly buried under the keyboard.
Vicki Fingalson, as Winifred Banks, persisted in winning her husband back with patience and wonderful singing. The cast was very physical, with “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Step in Time” being absolute show-stoppers. Director Michael Ferrell and choreographer Krysti Wiita have certainly created a wonderful celebration for this December.

Suzuki youngsters, musical adults, and opera on the screen

On another planet, about 24 very young violinists and maybe a dozen young pianists gave a sparkling public recital at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe on Saturday afternoon. These are Suzuki-trained students of John and Rachel McLaird, and the place was packed with musicians and listeners. The pianists shared a variety of solo pieces, while the violinists all played together from classical and holiday music. This bubbling hour and a half made it clear that youngsters in Duluth are growing into the musical world steadily. Watch for other Suzuki recitals in the coming months.
The Duluth Community Orchestra will offer its December program in the auditorium at Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd St, at 7pm on Tuesday, December 15. Good music, dedicated musicians, open to the public, and all conducted by Sam Marks.
A reminder that Mozart’s Magic Flute, Die Zauberflöte, will be on the screen at Duluth Cinema at 12:55pm, Saturday, December 12. This two-hour presentation by the Metropolitan Opera is their holiday celebration of ten years of HD performances around the world (which includes Duluth, MN).

Three extraordinary choral presentations for this season

Choral music will be rich this next few days, as the choral groups from The College of St. Scholastica share ‘O Holy Night,’ a program of seasonal music, at St. Michael’s Church, 4901 E. Superior. The brick walls of St. Michael’s will resonate on both Friday and Saturday nights, December 11 and 12, starting at 7:30pm.
Then on Thursday, December 17, at 7:30pm, The Rose Ensemble will revisit Duluth’s Sacred Heart Music Center with a program of 17th century Christmas choral music preserved for centuries in the archives of Malta, and now appearing for the first time in North America. Italian Majesty at Mdina Cathedral will provide an evening of exquisite choral harmonies, with guests on theorbo and baroque harp.
This feast will be rounded off with the Holiday concert by Arrowhead Chorale, Saturday, December 19 at 7:30pm, & Sunday afternoon, December 20, at 3:00pm, both at Weber Music Hall on the UMD campus. Choral music new and old, and a variety of instruments to add more seasoning.
Perhaps you thought nothing amazing ever happens in Duluth!