Monday, May 19, 2025
The Mainstage Players of Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh are ready to hit the stage this month for four performances of the whimsical musical adventure, “Mary Poppins.”
The show, based on the iconic story of a magical nanny who brings adventure, music and life lessons to the Banks family, will be performed in the temple’s auditorium.
According to temple member Lisa Shubin, who is producing the play, more than 40 performers — a mix of adults and children ages 8 and up — have been rehearsing three to four days a week since January.
“It’s a fun show, and people who come will have a great time,” said Shubin, whose husband, Tom Reilly, is directing the show.
Shubin said the decision to stage “Mary Poppins” was based on the cast that they anticipated, considering factors like age range, vocal abilities and acting experience.
Playing the lead role of Mary Poppins is Marni Tessler, 30, who said she’s passionate about singing and enjoys the rehearsal process. She added that her parents were members of Temple Emanu-El, and she began performing in temple productions at age 7. Altogether, she has spent about 15 years involved in the shows, returning in 2022 after a break.
For Tessler, rehearsing alongside younger performers has been a great way to watch them progress in their acting abilities.
“I have grown very close with them, so it’s a really fun experience to watch them grow and to see what roles they take on,” she said.
Temple member Jeff Minkowsky will take on the role of Bert, the cheerful chimney sweep who serves as Mary Poppins’ friend and guide through the children’s magical adventures. He has been performing in temple shows since 2019, initially joining as a way to connect his family to the community.
“I just thought it was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter and I to join a theater show and be a part of it together, and it was the best decision we ever made,” he said.
Minkowsky’s oldest daughter, Lila, 14, is playing Jane Banks, one of the two children under Mary Poppins’ care. His younger daughter, Arielle, 12, is performing in ensemble roles, and his wife, Rachel, is playing Mrs. Brill, the Banks family's cook.
When it comes to theater, the biggest lesson learned is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, Minkowsky said.
“It takes hard work,” he said. “It takes teamwork, and we put on great shows every single year — and this should be no different.”
According to Shubin, the show is more than just a performance — it's a way for people to feel more connected to the temple.
“The draw for most people is the family feel,” she noted, “the intergenerational relationships and the connectedness.”
Members of the adult group have been performing in stage shows for more than 30 years at Temple Emanu-El in East Meadow, before it merged with Temple B’nai Torah in 2018. Some cast members in this production are in their 70s.
Shubin, who has been producing shows at the temple for 15 years, last staged “Mary Poppins” in 2018. Over the years, she has seen friendships form among the children, along with valuable life lessons passed down from older cast members.
“It really helps the children feel a connection to the synagogue,” she said, “because they have friends that are their age and friends of older generations.”
Arielle said she’s excited to see all the little details come to life on stage — from the flying kites to the scene where Mary Poppins magically brings toys to life, a moment in which she plays one of the toys.
“It’s cast really well,” she said. “I think everyone here really fit into their roles.”
Ensemble member Emma Rubinstein, 8, said she’s looking forward to taking the stage and continuing to grow as a performer.
“I learned how to sing more and to project,” Emma said. “We practiced other times, so it’s not as scary as the first time. It’s pretty exciting.”
Tessler said she helps motivate the younger performers while encouraging them to enjoy the experience. When it comes to stage fright, she offers a useful tip: stare straight ahead at a fixed point.
“When I catch eyes of people in the audience, it messes me up,” Tessler said. “So I teach kids to stare at a focal point. If you’re nervous, just do that and you won’t even see the people.”
The four performances of “Mary Poppins” will take place at the temple, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., on May 3 and 10 at 8 p.m., and May 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and over, and $10 for children 17 and under. For tickets, visit tbtwantagh.seatyourself.biz, email tbttix@temple-bnai-torah.org, or call (516) 221-2370.
