Mary Poppins was one of the first live musicals I saw performed as a child. I think I was in the 1st grade and my class took a field trip to Belleville West High School where we saw the high school students perform "Mary Poppins." I was never a big fan of the movie so I was surprised when I became enchanted by the musical when the tour stopped at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. It was the last show in our Broadway Season Ticket Package and I raced home from working in Chicago to see it for the first time on Friday, August 21. Two of the original cast members are touring with the production. Ashley Brown who originated the part of Mary Poppins on Broadway and Gavin Lee who originated the part of Bert in the original London production and on Broadway. Imagine my disappointment when it was announced that the part of Bert would be played by Gavin Lee's understudy! Even though we saw the understudy for Bert, I enjoyed the musical immensely! Ashley Brown lit up the stage as Mary Poppins and I predict that she has a long successful career ahead of her. The musical is a combination of the movie and the books by P. L. Travers. It was "Prctically Perfect" and I would recommend children of all ages to go and see it! After seeing the musical I purchased an edition of Mary Poppins that combines the two Mary Poppins classics, Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Comes Back. These are the books that inspired both the 1964 movie and the Broadway musical. I am looking forward to reading them soon!
My Mary poppins adventure continued when Ken went down to the lake on a guy's weekend. I decided to spend some time with some of my girlfriends and when I found out educator's could get discount tickets to the musical Mary Poppins I asked my friend Jaime to join me. I saw the musical a second time on Saturday, August 29. This time I saw Gavin Lee as Bert and his performance did not disappoint! He was outstanding. I love the new songs added to the stage production and downloaded the cast album. When I saw the musical the second time all of the songs were familiar to me. I especially like the song "Anything Can Happen" and have found the lyrics to be inspiring during the recent changes in my job.
Sometimes things are difficult but you can bet it
Doesn't have to be so
Changes can be made
You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade
Anything can happen, it's a marvel
You can be a butterfly
Or just stay larval
Stretch your mind beyond fantastic
Dreams are made of strong elastic
Take some sound advice and don't forget it
Anything can happen if you let it
You won't know a challenge until you've met it
No one does it for you
No one but yourself
Vacillating violets get left up on the shelf
Anything can happen, just imagine
That should be epitaph I wear the badge in
Honour of this world's free thinkers
Those who see beyond their blinkers
Jelly isn't jelly
Til you set it
Anything can happen if you let it
Anything can happen if you let it
What good is a whistle
Unless you whet it
Broaden your horizons
Open different doors
You may find a you there that you never knew was yours
Anything can happen raise the curtain
Things you though impossible
Will soon seem certain
Thought at first it may sound clownish
See the world more upside-downish
Turn it on its head then pirouette it
Anything can happen if you let it
If you reach for the stars All you get are the stars
But we've found a whole new spin
If you reach for the heavens
You get the stars thrown in
Anything can happen if you let it
Life is out there waiting so go and get it
Grab it by the collar, seize it by the scruff
Once you've started living life you just can't get enough
Anything can happen, it's official
You can choose the super or the superficial
Sally forth the way we're steering
Obstacles start disappearing
Go and chase your dreams you won't regret it
Anything can happen if you let it.
Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee as Bert.
Uncle George, Cousin Cindy, and Cousin Shane
The Cake
