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Dreamcoat's Mary Poppins is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

"Along the way you are going to meet so many amazing characters, dancing, singing, colour, costumes and tap dancing."

If Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre's dress rehearsal is an indication, the company has another hit on its hands with the ever-popular musical Mary Poppins.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert (Matthew Sharpe), introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane (Maggie Saunders) and Michael (Ethan Elsey) have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins (Lisa Boivin) arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."

"When I went out to the auditions I was so hoping to just be part of the production," Boivin told BayToday. "To play Mary Poppins is just that cherry on the top. It's singing songs that everybody knows. I'm really looking forward to the Saturday matinee because I know there will be a lot of families and young kids here and maybe there'll be a sing along opportunity. It's been a really neat journey for me."

Boivin started in theatre with the Nipissing Stage company in 2001 until 2005 and also did productions with the Gateway Theatre Guild. She's also been the singer for the 22Wing military band. She's also directed for Dreamcoat in the past. 

"It's  timeless classic, a beautiful story. A beautiful story about a family. Its not even really about Mary Poppins. She throws the magic into the mix and leaves and it's really about the coming together of a family that is ravelling undone, and by the end of the show the family is back together again.

"Along the way you are going to meet so many amazing characters, dancing, singing, colour, costumes and tap dancing."

Disney brought the story to life with their movie in 1964, and it delighted audiences on Broadway for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical.

It's directed by Jocelyn Bell-Summersby, and she admits the play has its challenges.

"You're trying to bring to life a story that means a lot to a lot of people who grew up with Mary Poppins. So there's a little bit of pressure knowing that you're staying as true to the story as possible with the characters you've cast in the role, and to make sure you bring back the memories that people had as children."

She says people have a lot of expectations.

"So making sure that the songs are memorable and also there are a lot of new songs. Many pieces are not ones you would have seen in the movie. It's quite a different piece from what you see in the movie and so there's a multitude of songs that allow for the story to be told in a variety of different ways."

Mary Poppins runs Wednesday December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday December 5th at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 available at Creative Learning, 181 Main Street or The Capitol Centre Box Office.


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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