"Mary Poppins" will make its Jacksonville debut this week, part of the Artist Series' "Broadway in Jacksonville" season.
Performances are scheduled daily through Sunday in the Moran Theater at the Times-Union Center.
The Broadway production of the show opened Nov. 16, 2006, and is the only show from the 2006-07 theatrical season still in production in New York City.
The show tour playing Jacksonville began performances last February. After the final performance Sunday, the show will head for West Palm Beach.
The stage play is based as much on the original "Mary Poppins" books published in the 1930s by Australian author P.L. Travers as on the 1964 Walt Disney Productions film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, said tour Assistant Production Manager Anne Jude.
With a story appealing to three generations since the film debuted, Jude said "Mary Poppins" on stage appeals to all ages.
"It isn't just a kid's show. Everything you love about the film is in the show and more. There are additional characters that were in the books and some more songs," she said.
The production features a cast of 34 actors and hundreds of costumes. There also are some special effects.
"Mary flies three times, goes up the bannister and pulls some amazing things out of her carpet bag. Mary Poppins is a magical being," Jude said.
The North American tour will mark its one-year anniversary in February. The show spends a week in each city, which is a comfortable schedule for the cast and crew, said Jude.
"We're in a city for a week, so that's enough time to enjoy it and get to know it. And it's not opening night every night. Once a week is enough," she said.
For performance times and ticket information, visit artistseriesjax.org.
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