Mary Poppins is a story both enduring and beloved by so many the world over. I personally remember watching an old worn-out VHS every time I was sick and home from school. It was a balm and made me feel so comforted. Seeing Julie Andrews guide this family to better understanding that their value didn’t lay in what they could bring to the household, but in who they were and how they could love each other through all things. She let them falter, knowing that lessons learned as we navigate our way through this world and inevitably fail, are the lessons that stick with us and help us to become better versions of ourselves.
And as these lessons are learned Mary Poppins helped the Banks family to widen their world view, to encounter others and build a colorful, beautiful community with all their neighbors…not just the “right” people. She shows them that a person’s value is in their humanity and their love, not in how alike they are to ourselves.
I am so grateful to get to try and be a version of Mary Poppins as we worked to bring together this big show. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to get to be part of stitching together this community of directors, and cast members, and parents, and friends to try and create something both enduring and beloved by all who created it. To get to learn alongside every child that using our voice to advocate for the things we believe are right and just is the best use of our collective power. That bringing warmth and color to every room we enter, is a reflection of our hearts.
Meagan Prendergast, Director
