18
SUMMER PROGRAM 2013
About Tonight
In 1964, Walt Disney released his magical, marvelous musical film adaptation of P.L. Travers’ book
Mary Poppins
. For those of us of, (ahem) a certain boomer generation,
Mary Poppins
was more
than a film. Underneath its heartfelt story, delightful music and colorful fantasy was a wistful
interpretation of childhood’s deepest dreams. With that spoonful of sugar,
Mary Poppins
fed the
imagination of an entire generation.
In 2004, Disney Theatricals and Cameron Mackintosh gave
Mary Poppins
a stage home in a grand
musical spectacle. It opened on Broadway in 2006, and closed only recently. The wonderful film
songs by the legendary Sherman brothers (Richard and Robert) joined new songs by the exciting
British songwriting team of George Stiles and Andrew Drewe, and the story was adapted for the
stage by Julian Fellowes (now of
Downton Abbey
fame).
In this season’s line-up of big shows, producing
Mary Poppins
felt like the most daunting challenge
of all. If ever a production needed to be thoroughly re-thought and re-invented for The Muny,
this was it. To my great joy (an understatement), Gary Griffin -- who triumphed in last season’s
production of Disney’s
Aladdin --
agreed to take the helm. Gary’s work moves me because he
recognizes the journey a show’s characters are making, and the truths they discover along the way.
Whether it’s
Sunday in the Park with George
or
Mary Poppins
, Gary creates with humanity and
artistic integrity, and always surprises you with his insight. His
Aladdin
collaborator Alex Sanchez
returns to provide the thrilling
Poppins
dances. He, too, creates with inspiring passion and joy.
In the iconic title role, we welcome back Jenny Powers, who last enchanted us in
Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers
in 2011. (She hasn’t been idle; her beautiful son George celebrates his first birthday
this week.) Gary and I were thrilled when she said yes, because like Mary Poppins, Jenny always has
a delicious glimmer in her eye. Rob McClure returns as her buddy Bert, after bringing the Muny
audience to its knees as the hilarious Farquaad in
Shrek
. (Note to musical theatre watchers: Rob
and Gary will soon head into rehearsal for a Broadway-bound musical of
Honeymoon in Vegas
.)
Mary Poppins
is a tale of a family finding itself. Last year during
Thoroughly Modern Millie
, our
Trevor, Stephen Buntrock, walked by me and said, “My wife would love this place.” This year, he
and his wife, Erin Dilly, are our Mr. and Mrs. Banks. As for Jane and Michael Banks, Elizabeth
Teeter returns to The Muny after playing Jane in the Broadway production, and one of her
Broadway “Michaels,” the thoroughly charming Aidan Gemme, reunites with her here. With all
the talk of Annies and Matildas and Billy Elliots, you’ll marvel at how far these two bright young
actors carry our show.
So off we go to Cherry Tree Lane, hoping to create a “practically perfect” evening you and your
family will remember long after our beloved nanny has soared into the stars.
Mike Isaacson
Executive Producer
