‘Mary Poppins’ flies into Fowlerville

Fowlerville Community Theatre’s upcoming production of “Mary Poppins” is a family show in more ways than one. Not only does the cast include several sets of family members, but parents and other relatives are also pitching in to help prepare for opening night. 

One such volunteer is Okemos resident Robin Young, who helped paint the sets and is assisting with promoting the show around Greater Lansing. Her granddaughter Addison Smith plays Jane Banks, while her daughter Stacey Smith is part of the tap-dancing ensemble in the “Step in Time” number. 

“I’m just doing what I can to help,” Young said. “I saw how hard they all work. The participants are all members of their communities who have day jobs and are doing this, too, so it’s truly for love of the theater.” 

There are nearly 90 people in the cast, with Mandy Stone in the lead as Mary Poppins. Stone runs Lansing’s Alive Theatre with Christine Hall, who plays Mrs. Banks. According to Stone, the large cast makes this version of “Mary Poppins” much more immersive than other productions, especially the ensemble numbers. 

“Fowerville is a very family-oriented theater,” she said. “I’d say they lean more into having fun than stressing people out. One of the ways this occurs is they don’t cut people in auditions. They like having everyone involved.”

Although the stage show has all the classic Disney songs fans know and love, audiences may be surprised at how different it is from the movie. The plot deviates more toward the storyline of the original books by P.L. Travers, especially in how the characters are portrayed. 

“Mary is a little less happy. Julie Andrews makes everything kind of sparkly and shiny. This Mary is a little more direct and not quite so smiley.” Stone explained. “Mr. and Mrs. Banks’ relationship is a lot more in the forefront: how Mr. Banks is the clinical, absent father that he is and how they fix that. Mrs. Banks is not the fluffy suffragette; she’s a mom trying to be heard and doesn’t know how to get through to either her kids or her husband. So, the character growth in them is wildly different from the movie.”

Stone said that due to budget restrictions, she will not be physically “flying” in the show. The company will use other tricks to pull off the effect. However, when pressed for details, all she would tease was, “I know how it will work, but I can’t tell you. That’s Disney magic, darling!” 

Stone praised the rest of the cast, especially Addison Smith and Ezra Webber as Jane and Michael Banks. 

“They don’t have a ton of theater experience, but they’re naturals. Addie has the perfect English accent straight out of the gate, and Ezra is just the sassiest little bugger. They insisted on naming my umbrella Geoffrey.”

Young can attest to how good her granddaughter’s British accent is, having watched snippets of rehearsals and listened to her practicing songs in the car. She is amazed by how quickly the cast and crew have come together. 

“There’s such joy that comes from the performers,” she said. “Even in the rehearsals, when it’s getting harder and more uncomfortable, they’re all so full of joy, working and pulling together. These are little kids painting sets alongside their parents and their grandmothers — three generations painting sets. It’s such a welcoming situation, truly a community.” 

She added that she can’t wait to see the finished show and is confident that everyone who comes to see it will love it. 

“It has such great family values, hope and love that reflects this whole cast,” she said. 

Stone echoed that sentiment.

“I know that ‘Mary Poppins’ is special and nostalgic to a lot of people, and I think that nostalgia will carry through,” Stone said. “It’s an absolute honor to play her. She means the world to me. It feels surreal every time I get to put on the heeled boots and become her. In my heart of hearts, I just want to make Julie Andrews proud, even though she has no idea who I am.”