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. Years later, the same magic was brought to the stage! It was a hit and a shortened JR version was born. 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 with her parrot umbrella, 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
- Conceived By
- Cameron Mackintosh
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Disney's Mary Poppins
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- London, England, 1910
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Recording
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen 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. The movie was a hit with a score of timeless
to read the context for Mary Poppins JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
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 (“Prologue”). 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 Michael, up to mischief, have chased
to read the plot for Mary Poppins JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Countertenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
- Prologue - Bert, Company
- 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
- Jolly Holiday - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Neleus, and the Statues
- Winds do Change - George
- A Spoonful of Sugar - Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Robertson Ay, and Winifred
- Precision and Order (Part 1)- Bank Chairman and the Bank Clerks
- Precision and Order (Part 2) - George, Bank Clerks, Bank Chairman
- 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
- Playing the Game/ Chim Chim Cher-ee - Mary Poppins
- 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
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 2 - Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew
- Practically Perfect (Reprise)* - Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins
- Step in Time - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, and the Sweeps
- 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
- Goodbye Then, Mary - Bert
- Anything Can Happen (Finale) - Company
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
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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