When “Mary Poppins” opens tonight at the Lewiston Civic Theatre, audiences will see Mary fly.
Instead of relying on magic and weather, however, Mary will use a flying machine. The system, which came out of Kentucky, required two days of training, not only for those who are managing flight, but those who are flying -- Mary and Bert. While Mary flies more than once during the show, it’s Bert’s singular flight that is the real show, which Director Larry Goodwin called “pretty spectacular.”
The musical is a fusion of the books written by P. L. Travers and the classic 1964 Disney movie of the same name. It first appeared on Broadway in 2004, and the rights to the show only recently became available. As such, it is the first time the musical has appeared on the Lewiston stage.
Set in 1910 England, Bert (Micheal Keene) introduces the audience to the dysfunctional Banks family, whose young Jane (Sydney Swift) and Michael (Michael Trembley) have trouble keeping nannies around. When Mary (Becki Tank) arrives at their home, her memorable adventures, magic and common sense teaches the family -- including Mr. Banks (Paul Segren) and Mrs. Banks (Kelly Riddle) -- how to value each other again.
While the show leaves out certain characters that appear in the film -- audiences shouldn’t plan to see the laughing Uncle Albert or any dancing penguins, for example -- there are new characters introduced from the book, as well as some minor changes in the storyline.
The audience can expect musical favorites like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Go Fly a Kite,” as well as additional songs that are new to the Broadway version of the show.
Because the show is expected to be popular with families, additional show times were added to the performance schedule.
The theater has held several fundraising events, including a GoFundMe campaign, breakfast and two teas, to help offset the cost for the flying machine rental.
If you go:
WHAT: “Mary Poppins”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 19-21, 27-28, June 2-3, 5, 10-11, 2 p.m. May 22, 28-29, June 5, 11-12
WHERE: Lewiston Civic Theatre, 805 Sixth Ave., Lewiston
COST: $16 adults, $13 seniors age 60 and older, $11 student with ID, $8 children 12 and younger. Tickets are available online at www.lctheatre.org or by calling the box office at (208) 746-3401.
