Mary Poppins
Musical
Writers:Julian Fellowes Robert B. Sherman Richard M. Sherman George Stiles Anthony Drewe
Overview
Synopsis
Based on P.L. Travers’ beloved book series of the same name, Mary Poppins became an immediate hit when it premiered as a movie musical in 1964. Forty years later, Cameron Macintosh conceived of an enchanting stage musical that combines elements of Disney’s film with material inspired by Travers’ books. In the musical, Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, invites us into the world of London, England in 1910 — and, specifically, into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family. Jane and Michael, the young Banks children, have sent yet another nanny packing, dismissing these children as hopelessly and irrevocably spoiled and misbehaved. With a father who works constantly and mother who is always distracted, Jane and Michael have suffered without strong caretaking forces in their lives. Then the magical Mary Poppins flies in on the wind, bringing with her a combination of whimsy, magic, and disciplined common sense to the children’s lives. Together, they go on memorable and magical adventures — and also learn the importance of a tidy nursery and of taking the medicine they need (with a spoonful of sugar, of course.) Mary Poppins’ transformational influence does not stop with the children — eventually, she teaches the grown-ups, as well, to open up and realize that “anything can happen if you let it.”
Show Information
- Book
- Julian Fellowes
- Lyrics
- Robert B. Sherman , Richard M. Sherman , George Stiles , Anthony Drewe
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2004
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- london, england, 1910
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Child, Young Adult Characters
Context
Mary Poppins finds its original basis in a series of books by P.L. Travers. The series was well loved by many children in the 1930s and 1940s including the children of Walt Disney, who made him promise to adapt a film version of the story. Initially reluctant to sell the film rights to her books, P.L. Travers finally capitulated to Disney’s purchase offer in 1961, and Walt Disney Studios set to work on producing the classic movie-musical right away. However, she was extremely dissatisfied
to read the context for Mary Poppins and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
On the streets of Edwardian England, Bert, a mysterious jack-of all-trades, introduces the audience to Cherry Tree Lane -- the street on which the story begins (“Chim Chim Cher-ee (Opening)”). Bert shows the audience a house -- 17 Cherry Tree Lane -- which opens up to reveal the troubled Banks family and their employees: the rigid Mr. Banks; Winifred, his wife; their two spoiled children, Jane and Michael; Mrs. Brill, the cook; and Robertson Ay, the man-of-all-work. Jane and
to read the plot for Mary Poppins and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass |
Songs
The following is the song list from the licensable tour production:
Act One
- Chim Chim Cher-ee (Opening) - Bert, Orchestra
- Cherry Tree Lane Part 1 - George and Winifred Banks, Jane and Michael, Mrs. Brill, and Robertson Ay
- The Perfect Nanny - Jane and Michael
- Cherry Tree Lane Part 2 - George and Winifred Banks, Jane and Michael, Mrs. Brill, and Robertson Ay
- Practically Perfect - Mary Poppins, Jane, and Michael
- Chim Chim Cher-ee (Park Reprise) - Bert
- Jolly Holiday - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Neleus, and the Statues
- Let’s Hope She Will Stay/Being Mrs Banks/Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise) - George, Winifred, Jane, and Michael
- A Spoonful of Sugar - Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Robertson Ay, and Winifred
- Precision and Order* - Bank Chairman and the Bank Clerks
- A Man Has Dreams* - George Banks
- Feed the Birds - Bird Woman and Mary Poppins
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Mary Poppins, Mrs. Corry, Bert, Jane, Michael, Fannie, Annie, and Customers
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Encore)* - Bert and Customers
- Temper, Temper (2004-2009); Playing the Game (2009–present)^ - Valentine, William, Mr. Punch, the Glamorous Doll, and other Toys
- Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet) - Bert and Mary Poppins
Act Two
- Entr'acte: Run Away - Orchestra
- Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise)* - Mrs. Brill, Michael, Jane, Winifred, Robertson Ay, and George
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 1 - Miss Andrew
- Let's Go Fly a Kite - Bert, Park Keeper, Jane, and Michael
- Good for Nothing - George
- Being Mrs Banks (Reprise) - Winifred
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 2 - Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew
- Practically Perfect (Reprise)* - Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins
- Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Reprise)* - Bert
- Step in Time - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, and the Sweeps
- Step in Time (Encore)* - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, and the Sweeps
- A Man Has Dreams / A Spoonful of Sugar Reprise - George and Bert
- Anything Can Happen Part 1 - Jane, Michael, Winifred, Mary Poppins
- Give Us the Word - George, Chairman, Miss Smythe
- Anything Can Happen Part 2 - Jane, Michael, Mary Poppins, Company
- A Spoonful of Sugar (Farewell Reprise) - Mary Poppins and Orchestra
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Magical or supernatural qualities or events presented in an otherwise realistic setting.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
