‘Mary Poppins’ comes to The Kingswood Arts Center during weekend of Nov. 22

WOLFEBORO — Kingswood Theater will present Disney’s and Cameron McIntosh’s “Mary Poppins,” on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. at the Kingswood Arts Center, in Wolfeboro.

Audience members will have the opportunity to step onto the stage and get their photo with Mary and Bert after both matinee performances. 

The show’s music and lyrics were written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a book by Julian Fellowes. The musical is based on the similarly titled Mary Poppins children's books by P. L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film, and is a fusion of various elements from the two, including songs from the film. 

Bert (Kristin Cooper), a man of many professions, introduces the audience to Cherry Tree Lane in Edwardian London. Number 17 is where the Banks family lives: George (Kurtis Sheffer) and Winifred Banks (Bella Dickey), their two naughty children Jane (Laura Fernandes) and Michael (Gabriel Giessler), their cook/maid Mrs. Brill (Sara Fernandes) and their house boy, Robertson Ay (Eddie Ring).

Things are not going well for Jane and Michael. They are out of control and, as the show starts, their latest nanny, Katie Nanna (Miley Bentley), storms out. The children decide to write the advertisement for a new nanny, but George, having a very different idea of what constitutes the perfect nanny, tears up the piece of paper and throws it in the fireplace. Within moments, Mary Poppins (Kaitlyn Cooper) arrives, restored advertisement in hand, and takes charge of the Banks children, having every confidence in her own qualifications and merits. 

Many elements and songs from the film are featured in this production including “Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragalistic,” “Jolly Holiday” and “Step in Time,” along with new songs from the Broadway production, including “Anything Can Happen,” and “Playing the Game.”

Production on “Poppins” began in late August in the Kingswood Arts Center. This combined Kingswood Regional middle and high school students constructing props, costumes, and sets; as well as designing lighting, sound and video projection.  The cast is composed of 27 high and middle school students, accompanied by a pit orchestra of almost 20 musicians.

Tickets are on sale now at kingswoodtheater.org.