Curtain Calls: Taste a spoonful of sugar with ‘Mary Poppins’ in Castro Valley

Given the often-dire news reports of shootings, flooding and crazy politics, I’m ready to walk into a dark room and be entertained by an enchanted tale with a happy ending. Castro Valley Arts Foundation has just the ticket in “Mary Poppins.”

The beloved tale of the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious nanny features big tap numbers, specialty dancers, special effects including flying and a happy ending.

“This show looks at the dreams and disappointments of family life and, by the final curtain, suggests some very good solutions,” said Director Becky Potter.

The show features Concord’s Shelley McDowell in the title role with Walnut Creek’s Renee DeWeese Moran choreographing the dance-heavy show.

“The dance numbers set the pace of the show and contain many of the iconic moments people remember from the movie,” Moran said. “These dance numbers pop with imagination, excitement and nostalgia.”

If you’re in need of Poppins’ wise advice or just “A Spoonful of Sugar,” call 510-889-8961 or go to cvartsfoundation.org. The show runs through Aug. 10 at 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley.

Martinez: Providing a bit of laughs, Onstage Repertory Theatre presents “Comedy Tonight.” The smorgasbord of magic, skits, Vaudeville, songs and general merriment runs through July 26 at the Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St.

The show features Jerry Motta and other favorite Campbell Theater performers.

For info/tickets, call 925-350-9770 or go to campbelltheater.com.

Oakland: With Lorraine Hansberry’s final play “Les Blancs (The Whites)” — which runs through July 27 at FLAX art & design on 1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way — Oakland Theater Project once again brings us an intriguing work.

The play, published by Hansberry’s husband following her death, explores the waning days of early 20th century colonialism in an unnamed African nation.

“This exploration of power, politics and liberation resists simplistic narratives of good and evil, challenging us to confront the brutal complexities of empire,” said OTP Co-Artistic Director Michael Socrates Moran.

For tickets, 510-646-1126 or go to oaklandtheaterproject.org.

Berkeley: The tale of four men — a son, a lover, an ancestor and a father — comes alive in Shogun Players production of “The Magnolia Ballet.”

Running through Aug. 10 at 1901 Ashby Ave., the show takes place in the rural sticky heat of a Southern Gothic landscape full of secrets and possibilities. With expansive poetry and whispered prose, the tale spins out underneath the bloom of fresh magnolias.

Learn more about the work at a discussion with Director AeJay Antonis Marquis at Shotgun Studios’ rehearsal space on 1201 University Ave. in Berkeley on July 28 at 7 p.m.

For tickets, call 510-841-6500 or go to shotgunplayers.org.

S.F.: SF Playhouse Artistic Director Bill English promised a “My Fair Lady” production with a 21st-century perspective and he didn’t disappoint.

English strongly hints at a gay relationship between Higgins (Adam Magill) and Pickering (Brady Morales-Woolery) in the beloved musical. Without changing a word of Shaw’s text, English has his actors suggest the relationship of the two confirmed bachelors through gestures and affectionate looks.

When Eliza (Jillian A. Smith) enters the scene, she becomes an important part of that relationship, turning the duo into a trio of like-minded, strong-headed young people.

English deliberately cast three actors close in age rather than Eliza being much younger, and for me it worked. What didn’t work was Eliza’s costumes for the Ascot Scene and the ending of the play. Costume Designer Abra Berman put her in pants with a long jacket that opens wide in the front to show off the pants. Her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail with a hat. The no bangs, not a hair out of place gives her a mannish look. I’m not sure if that was intended to suggest she is the third “man” in the Higgins/Pickering relationship or not. But it was more of a distraction for me.

While not giving away the slightly tweaked ending, the actors’ gestures and understated looks confirm that Eliza is now an equal in the relationship.

Magill, Morales-Woolery and Smith are brilliant in their roles, with Smith’s soaring soprano a joy to listen to and Magill’s rendition of “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” a master class in understated emotion.

Jomar Tagatac brings his consummate acting, dancing and singing skills to the role of Alfred P. Doolittle, evoking laughter from the audience whenever he appears. Also of note is Heather Orth as Mrs. Pearce, whose subtle movements and facial expressions add much to the production.

Kudos to the entire ensemble as they play multiple roles and more than do justice to Nicole Helfer’s exciting choreography.

Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” continues through Sept. 13 at SF Playhouse, located within the Kensington Park Hotel on 450 Post St. For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.

Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.