Show guide
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins brings the beloved magical nanny to the stage in a lavish family musical full of wonder, whimsy, and unforgettable songs.
- Broadway premiere
- 2006
- Music by
- Sherman Brothers
- Genre
- Comedy
- Setting
- 1910s
Mary Poppins: quick answers
What is Mary Poppins about?
- Mary Poppins is about a magical nanny who arrives at the troubled Banks household at 17 Cherry Tree Lane and, with her chimney sweep friend Bert, uses adventures and lessons to bring the children and their distant parents back together.
When did Mary Poppins open on Broadway?
- Mary Poppins opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006, at the New Amsterdam Theatre and ran until March 3, 2013, for 2,619 performances.
What kind of musical is Mary Poppins?
- Mary Poppins is a family musical that combines the Sherman Brothers' songs from the 1964 Disney film with new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and a book by Julian Fellowes, drawing on both the film and the original books.
Where and when is Mary Poppins set?
- Mary Poppins is set in Edwardian London, mainly at the Banks family home at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, with magical outings across the city.
Has Mary Poppins played in London's West End?
- Mary Poppins opened in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on December 15, 2004, after a tryout in Bristol, and Laura Michelle Kelly won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. A West End revival played from 2019 to 2023.
Is there a Mary Poppins movie?
- The stage show adapts Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. A 2018 sequel film, Mary Poppins Returns, starred Emily Blunt as Mary.
The story of Mary Poppins
Set in early twentieth century London, Mary Poppins follows the mysterious and endlessly capable nanny who arrives at the Banks family home to look after two mischievous children. Through a series of magical adventures, she helps the family rediscover warmth, imagination, and connection with one another.
The show's period setting, rooted in the 1910s, gives it a storybook English backdrop, full of chimney sweeps, city parks, and grand townhouses, all rendered with a sense of theatrical spectacle befitting its magical subject matter.
The music and the makers
The stage musical draws on the classic songs written by the Sherman Brothers for the original film, expanded with additional material to fill out a full length stage production. The score blends catchy, family friendly melodies with a sense of old fashioned English charm.
As a comedy rooted in a beloved film source, the show leans into big theatrical set pieces and showstopping numbers, giving its songs room to become full scale production numbers on the Broadway stage.
Mary Poppins on Broadway
Mary Poppins opened on Broadway in 2006, bringing a lavishly staged adaptation of the beloved film and books to life with elaborate sets and characters that had already charmed generations of families. It quickly became a destination show for parents and children alike.
Its appeal lies in that blend of nostalgia and spectacle. Longtime fans of the film come to see favorite moments brought to life on stage, while the show's warmth and sense of wonder keep it a popular choice for family outings to the theatre.
Mary Poppins: frequently asked questions
When did Mary Poppins open on Broadway?
Mary Poppins opened on Broadway in 2006.
Who wrote the music for Mary Poppins?
The songs originate with the Sherman Brothers, whose work for the original film was expanded for the stage production.
What is Mary Poppins about?
It follows a magical nanny who transforms the lives of the Banks family in early twentieth century London.
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