The magic of Disney's much-adored nanny is descending upon Theatre Arlington with the launch of "Mary Poppins, Jr.", an all-youth production brimming with the charm and vivacity familiar to generations of fans. In a special showcase of young talent, the musical features a cast and crew whose ages range from just 8 to 18 years old—yes, these are kids pulling the theatrical strings, according to Theatre Arlington's recent announcement.
Leading the troupe is Natalia Knight, who will be donning the iconic umbrella and carpet bag as Mary Poppins herself. The story, a heartwarming tale of the dysfunctional Banks family and their transformative encounter with the extraordinary nanny, is directed by Cindy Honeycutt. She expressed her delight in bringing to the stage a narrative that suggests "Anything can happen if you let it," according to details provided by the City of Arlington.
Not simply content with captivating evening and weekend audiences, Theatre Arlington is hosting daytime shows on October 21 and 22, primed for school field trip outings. The curtains rise on October 17 at 7:30 p.m. and fall for the final time on October 26 at 2 p.m., with performances lining up every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in between. For those bitten by the Mary Poppins bug, an exclusive "Tea with Mary Poppins" event will be setting the table on October 25, promising an intimate chance to meet the cast.
Steven D. Morris, Executive Producer at Theatre Arlington, touts the production as another example of the incredible potential harbored within their young participants. "It has been incredible to watch them grow through classes, camps, and productions with our Education and Outreach programming," he told the City of Arlington, clearly proud of what these youngsters have accomplished on and off stage.
