MARY POPPINS IS A VERY SPECIAL NANNY, and Taylor Jones is magical in the title role at the Berkeley Playhouse production, on stage at the Julia Morgan Theatre now through Dec. 7.

Jones has a smile to brighten any stage and easily fills the role of Mary with charm and poise. Tom Reardon and Sarah Mitchell bring on a little magic themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Banks, filling out the roles of the children’s parents with their own brand of fairy tale magic; and Alex Rodriguez brings them all together as narrator and super-friendly chimney sweep Bert. Together, the players succeed in drawing the audience fully into the fantastical world originally created by novelist P.L. Travers.

Mr. and Mrs. Banks have already gone through a few nannies when their children, Jane and Michael (played Thursday by Julia Kaufman Sommers and Luka Henrie-Naffaa), present their parents with a wish list of their own. The new nanny, they protest, must be kind and never cross, take them on outings, “sing songs and bring sweets.” Never did they expect that the answer to their dreams would also bring their dull neighborhood to life with her special magic, and even end up bringing their family closer together.

The Playhouse stage is equipped with plenty of visual surprises to delight audiences of all ages. It is tempting to describe them all here, but that would spoil too much of the fun.

One thing that stands out especially is the phenomenal performance of a trio of dancers, exquisitely costumed by Liz Martin and choreographed by music director Meghan Michelle McGovern. Leslie Waggoner, Mackenzie Conway and Matt Ono pose cool and still on their plinths while Mary, Bert and the kids are visiting at the park, until one of the statues comes alive to answer a question he has overheard. The next thing you know, all three statues have joined a crowded company of park-goers in song and dance — and with a uniquely balletic style and grace.

“Mary Poppins” is chock full of memorable scenes, including of course those accompanied by favorite children’s songs like “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “A Spoonful of Sugar” and, of course, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” Each popular song is performed in a spirit of happiness that permeates the atmosphere of the theater.

The story also includes several brief appearances by special characters that lend more depth to the story, illustrating the scope of Mary’s influence beyond the Banks family. There’s the woman (Tierra Allen) selling bird seed in the park near where Mr. Banks goes to work every day, for example. Before Mary arrived, George never noticed her, but in Act Two he is seen thoughtfully pondering the woman’s situation and even dropping some coins into her basket.

Closer to home, housekeepers Mrs. Brill (Mary Gibboney) and Robertson Ay (Billy Raphael) seem to be the first adults to see how Mary’s unconventional methods are truly enhancing harmony in the household. Once they see first-hand how positive reinforcement has motivated the children to behave more kindly, their previously critical and unbending attitudes are transformed.

Finally, after Mary takes a leave of absence in order to teach the children to appreciate her, Mrs. Banks hires her husband’s childhood nanny, Miss Andrew (Linsay Rousseau), to fill Mary’s shoes. In sharp contrast to Mary, Miss Andrew brings an iron hand — and other equally unpleasant medicine — into the Banks home, eventually causing all of them to greatly appreciate the magical nanny they had given cause to leave.

Each of the actors does an excellent job. They are focused and tuned in to the spirit in every scene. In fact, the only distraction in the entire production for this reviewer was the occasional inconsistency in one or more British accents, but to such a minor degree it wouldn’t deserve mention at all except to offer at least some smidgen of criticism to round out an honest review.

The Berkeley Playhouse does a fabulous job with this heartwarming and uplifting musical. Go and be surprised and delighted — and if you can, take a child with you.

If You Go
“Mary Poppins” continues at the Julia Morgan Theatre, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley through Dec. 7. Tickets are $23 to $38 and are available by calling 510-845-8542 or online at berkeleyplayhouse.org.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.