Excitement over the new film “Mary Poppins Returns” has legions of fans revisiting the original 1964 Julie Andrews-starring big-screen classic. And now, Bearden Middle School students will present the story of everyone’s favorite magical nanny in four performances of “Mary Poppins Jr.” this Friday-Sunday, Jan. 25-27, at the school, 1000 Francis Road.
Two casts (Friday evening/Saturday matinee and Saturday evening/Sunday matinee) have been rehearsing since September in order to present the high-energy musical, which includes detailed choreography. The show is appropriate for all ages and runs less than two hours, including intermission.
The musical is based on “Mary Poppins,” one of the most popular Disney movies of all time (in turn based on P.L. Travers’ novel) and the full Broadway musical, “Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins,” which played for more than 2,500 performances and received multiple Olivier and Tony Awards nominations.
Jack-of-all trades Bert introduces the audience to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before mysterious Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members 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 upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny, who believes that “Anything can happen if you let it!”
Shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5-14. Children 4 and younger are admitted free.
Tickets are on sale at the school and online, or on the Bearden Middle School website under “News and Announcements.”
Chimney sweeps rehearse one of their dance numbers for Bearden Middle School’s performance of “Mary Poppins Jr.”