Slow Burn Theater presents MARY POPPINS by Disney and Cameron Macintosh

One of the most beloved Disney films of all time captures the hearts of a whole new generation of viewers when the Slow Burn Theater Company, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Cameron Macintosh perform at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts from Saturday, March 25-Sunday presented , 9.4.

The musical, based on the books by PL Travers and the Walt Disney classic Mary Poppins, wowed Broadway audiences at more than 2,500 performances and received nine Olivier and seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

The popular tale begins with Bert, a jack of all trades, welcoming the audience to 1910 England and the troubled Banks family. Dearest, practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, arrives to lead an exceedingly fragile musical adventure. Using magic and common sense, she teaches the family to appreciate each other again. Even adults can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises, “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include all-time favorites “Jolly Holiday”, “Step in Time”, “Feed the Birds” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. New songs and additional music and lyrics include “Practical Perfect” and “Anything Can Happen” by the Olivier Award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drew. With a book written by Julian Fellowes, co-creator Cameron Mackintosh has delivered an enchanting blend of compelling story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and amazing stagecraft.

The cast consists of Melissa Whitworth in the title role and Adam Biner as Bert. The Banks family is portrayed by Matthew W. Korinko and April Strelinger as Mr. and Mrs. Banks, with Victoria Vasquez, Stella Macey, Nate Colton, and Spencer Hanan as their children, Jane and Michael. Other starring roles are played by Heather Jane Rolff, Michael Kruetz, Ellie Pattison and Stephen Fala.

The talented ensemble that rounds out the cast consists of Dalia Aleman, Aaron Atkinson, Jerel Brown, Austin Carroll, Samuel Colina, Kalista Curbelo, Madeline Dunn, Stephen Eisenwasser, Jonathan Eisele, Camryn Handler, Melanie Johnson, Kareema Khouri, and Vincent Law Michael Materdomini, Kristi Rose Mills, Matthew Quintero, Nicolette Quintero, Michael Scott Ross, Ashley Rubin, Benjamin Shaevitz and Larry Toyter.

The Slow Burn Theater Company production is directed, sound and wig designed by Patrick Fitzwater. The original London and Broadway choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mere is directed by Ashley Rubin for this production.

The creative team also includes music director Michael Ursua, lighting designer Clifford Spulock, costume designer Rick Peña, props and projection designer and assistant stage manager André Russell, dance captain Ashley Rubin, production stage manager Steve Emerson and technical director Alex Fine. Set rentals are from Front Row Theatrical with costumes designed by Ryan Moller provided by Tuacahn Costume Rentals.

The matinee performance on Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. will be closed-captioned, in which a text display on the side of the stage will scroll words in sync with the performance. Open Captions for Slow Burn Theater productions are generously sponsored by the Amaturo Family Foundation.

There will be a sensory-inclusive performance on Saturday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. for children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as those with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities aged 6 months and younger. The Broward Center’s sensory-inclusive program is made possible through the generous support of the Batchelor Foundation, JAFCO Children’s Ability Center, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the Taft Foundation.

This production is presented by special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). The Slow Burn Theater Company’s 2022-2023 season, presented by American National Bank, culminates with Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical, Sept. June.

Show times for Disney and Cameron Macintosh’s Mary Poppins vary. Tickets start at $49. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service for the Broward Center and Parker Playhouse. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222 or in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter and Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at Youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the discussion with #BrowardCenter.

Significant support for the Slow Burn Theater Company comes from the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Funded in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Department of Arts and Culture, and Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

The Broward Center’s 2022-2023 season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are proud sponsors of the Broward Center. The programs are also partially sponsored by the State of Florida, the State Department, the Department of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment of the Arts.

About the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 visitors and presents a wide range of exciting cultural programs and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Intermezzo Lounge, special events at the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro, and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Educational Center. With one of the largest educational programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and administers funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Visit BrowardCenter.org for more information.

Credit: Larry Marano