‘Poppins’ tour is dream come true for area man

By John Benson

He can’t write.

Or at least that’s what Austintown native and 2004 Baldwin-Wallace College graduate Dominic Roberts said is the one talent he doesn’t possess.

Aside from being smart as a whip, he was Austintown High School’s valedictorian in 2000 and played varsity hockey and baseball all through high school.

The naturally gifted performer found success on Broadway where in 2006 — two years after moving to the Big Apple — he was a member of the original cast of the new musical “Mary Poppins.”

Now Roberts has joined the national tour of “Mary Poppins,” which makes its Northeast Ohio debut Friday and continues through Aug. 9 at PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre.

“No, I never thought I’d end up here, certainly,” said Roberts, calling from Chicago.

“I didn’t think I would get into this business. When I was younger, I never imagined myself being a performer. But when I got into it, what you hope for is getting a Broadway show. The whole experience has been a dream. It’s been really wild to perform on Broadway, then get a national tour and have this opportunity.”

While Roberts said he’s performed at PlayhouseSquare before — his high school choir sang with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra — this will be his first theatrical production in Cleveland.

You’ll have to forgive Roberts if his r sum isn’t as long as others in his career.

Then again, that goes to prove his talent. Aside from appearing in a few regional theater productions in the Midwest, and also some off-off-Broadway showcases, his big break was “Mary Poppins.”

“I was very lucky; it was very quick,” said Roberts, who admits he can’t wait to return to Northeast Ohio for some home cooking, as well as a pizza from Wedgewood. “I was very lucky to get my Broadway debut. And I’ve grown up a lot. I’ve been with this company almost three years, and in this business, as you get older, you change and mature. You fit into a different slot for shows. So it’ll be interesting to see where I stand when I get back to New York. I’d like to think I’ve grown up a bit and will get to play some more mature roles.”

Cast in the role of Northbrook, Roberts is also a member of the ensemble, as well as an understudy for the lead, Bert, made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the classic 1964 Walt Disney film. As for the new “Mary Poppins” musical production, it’s based on author P.L. Travers’ children’s books and the popular movie.

“It’s different, and it definitely breathes life into a classic movie,” Roberts said.

“Everybody loves the movie, the music, and that’s still going to be there. But it’s a little bit different twist on the story, and it’s based a little bit more on the books, which are a little darker. And it’s not just a kid’s show. Sure, the kids will love it. We have kids dancing in the aisles, but what’s remarkable is the adults will come out and say how much they really enjoyed the show.”