Bert, a man of many trades, introduces the audience to the unhappy Banks family: father George, mother Winifred, and children Jane and Michael (Prologue). The family, the housekeeper Mrs. Brill, and the houseboy Robertson Ay, are shocked when Katie Nanna quits and storms out in frustration. George muses about what he expects from the household — the nanny, in particular ("Cherry Tree Lane – Part 1"). Though Jane and Michael insist upon their own requirements for their caregiver ("The Perfect Nanny"), George dismisses their requests ("Cherry Tree Lane – Part 2").
As if summoned, Mary Poppins appears, offering her services as a nanny. She fits the children's requirements exactly ("Practically Perfect / Practically Perfect – Playoff"). She then takes the children to the park, where they meet Bert, who describes how wonderful everyday life can be when spending time with Mary ("Jolly Holiday"). At first, the children are not convinced, but when Mary Poppins brings to life a park statue named Neleus, Jane and Michael are in awe of her. The children return home and gush to their father about the nanny, but George is preoccupied ("Winds Do Change").
A few weeks later, the household is preparing for Winifred's party, and Jane and Michael make a mess of the house. Despite Mary's magic ("A Spoonful of Sugar"), the party is ruined when no one attends ("Spoonful – Playoff"). Later, Mary takes the children on a visit to George's workplace, the bank ("Precision and Order – Part 1"). While Clerks are bustling about and clients are trying to convince George to grant them loans, the children burst into the bank ("Precision and Order – Part 2"). After a thought-provoking conversation with his children, George turns down Von Hussler's loan but agrees to give a loan to the kindly John Northbrook ("A Man Has Dreams").
As Mary and the children pass the cathedral, an old Bird Woman offers
to sell them seed to feed the birds. The children are at first disgusted by the woman, but Mary Poppins tells them to look beyond appearances ("Feed
the Birds"). Afterward, Mary whisks Jane and Michael off to Mrs. Corry's Talking Shop, where the children are given a delightful vocabulary lesson ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"). Later, Mary Poppins and the children return home to find George in a foul mood. He reveals to Winifred that after turning down Von Hussler, the client went to a rival bank that is now due to see great profit from the deal. The bank has suspended George without pay. ("Twists and Turns"). Upset about their father's behavior, the children argue with Mary Poppins. Convinced they must learn their next lesson on their own, she puts them to bed and leaves behind a note before flying away over the rooftop ("Playing the Game / Chim Chim Cher-ee").
Six weeks pass, and the household struggles without Mary Poppins. However, Winifred encourages everyone to tidy up the house for the arrival of a surprise guest ("Cherry Tree Lane – Reprise"). The guest turns out to be George's former nanny, Miss Andrew, who immediately reveals herself to be a stern and cruel woman ("Brimstone and Treacle – Part 1"). Unhappy with their new nanny, the children run away and happen upon Bert in the park, who consoles them and produces a red kite, offering it to Michael. The kite ascends out of view, and when it's reeled in, it brings Mary Poppins back with it ("Let's Go Fly a Kite").
Mary accompanies the children home and demands that Miss Andrew leave. Miss Andrew resists, but after receiving a spoonful of her own medicine from Mary Poppins, the woman flees, apparently sick ("Brimstone and Treacle – Part 2"). The family is relieved to have Mary Poppins back ("Practically Perfect – Reprise"). However, the children are still burdened by their father's grim situation. They follow Mary Poppins to the roof, where Bert and his fellow Chimney Sweeps cheer them up with a lively tune ("Step in Time / Step in Time – Playoff"). Afterward, a Messenger brings news that the bank Chairman wants to speak to George that evening. Bert wishes George good luck ("A Spoonful of Sugar – Reprise"). After George leaves to speak to the Chairman, Mary Poppins instills confidence in the rest of the family ("Anything Can Happen – Part 1").
At his meeting with the Chairman, George is informed that Von Hussler's scheme has ruined the rival bank, while Northbrook has become very successful and is set to make George's bank a fortune. George is ecstatic ("Give Us the Word"). With newly found confidence, Winifred bursts in ready to stand up for George. Upon learning the news, she helps negotiate a much higher salary for her husband. The family is thrilled by their change of fortune ("Anything Can Happen – Part 2").
Back at the Banks home, Bert realizes that Mary Poppins will be leaving soon — the family no longer needs her help. He bids her farewell ("Goodbye Then, Mary"). Leaving behind only a locket, Mary Poppins disappears into the sky. However, she leaves the Banks family much happier than she found them, and they vow never to forget her ("Anything Can Happen – Finale").
Bert
The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert is a chimney sweep and a sidewalk artist, among many other occupations. With a twinkle in his eye and a skip in his step, Bert watches over the children and the goings-on around Cherry Tree Lane. He is a song-and-dance man with oodles of charm who is wise beyond his years. Cast your strongest male singer, dancer, and actor in this role.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
George Banks
Husband to Winifred and father to Jane and Michael, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pip-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that Miss Andrew, his cruel, strict childhood nanny, gave him the perfect upbringing. George's emotional armor, however off-putting, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary and should be among your strongest male actors and singers.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Winifred Banks
George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. She is a loving homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's social aspirations while striving to be a model wife and mother. Cast an actor who can portray a great warmth and depth of feeling. Winifred should have a pure vocal tone and be one of your stronger actors and singers.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Jane Banks
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Cast a wonderful actor and a strong singer who can take the audience on an emotional journey.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Michael Banks
The cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and longs desperately for his attention. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents. Michael should be a great actor and singer. Ideally, he reads onstage as younger than Jane.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mrs. Brill
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. She does not have to be a strong singer, but she should be a solid actor.
Gender: female
Robertson Ay
The houseboy to the Banks family. Forgetful and clumsy, he often bungles simple tasks. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but he should be a good comedic actor. Note: his last name is pronounced like “eye.”
Gender: male
Mary Poppins
Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening, but she is always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. The role calls for an excellent singer and actor who should be able to move well. Since she carries a majority of the show, precision and diction are key.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Ensemble Groups & Featured Roles
All ensembles require group singing; featured roles require either solo singing or solo acting, or both. For each featured role, the pages showcasing the character's lines or vocals are listed.
Ensemble & Featured Characters include:
Katie Nanna, Park Strollers, Statues, Neleus, Bird Woman, Honeybees, Clerks, Miss Smythe, Chariman, Von Hussler, John Northbrook, Vagrants, Buskers, Passerby, Mrs. Corry, Customers, Miss Andrew, Kite Flyers, Chimney Sweeps, Policeman and the Messenger.
Gender: male
Katie Nanna
Katie Nanna is Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children. This role is perfect for a performer who is not quite ready for a larger role.
Gender: female
Park Strollers
The Park Strollers are citizens of London who go from drab and dreary to bright and colorful as they get swept up in Mary Poppins’s adventures in the park.
Gender: any
Statues
The Statues are stone sculptures. Thanks to Mary Poppins, these works of art come alive and dance with Bert and the Park Strollers.
Gender: any
Neleus
Neleus is a statue who, once brought to life by Mary Poppins, is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb4
Bird Woman
The Bird Woman is covered in a patchwork of old shawls, her pockets stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell the crumbs to Passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. While she should be a good singer, there can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the difficulties of her situation.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Honeybees
The Honeybees are conjured by Mary Poppins to help teach the children the benefits of “A Spoonful of Sugar.” These roles require good movers who can sing.
Gender: any
Clerks
The Clerks, like George, are employees at the bank. These roles require actors who can sing.
Gender: any
Miss Smythe
Miss Smythe is the bank Chairman’s humorless secretary. This smaller role is great for a performer who is new to the stage.
Gender: female
Chairman
Chairman, the head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt. He does not need to be a strong singer, but he should be a good actor with great stage presence.
Gender: male
Von Hussler
Von Hussler is a businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. This is a great character role for a fantastic actor who can command the stage with pomposity.
Gender: male
John Northbrook
John Northbrook is an honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. This is a great role for a good actor and solid singer who may not be ready to tackle a large part.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Vagrants, Buskers, and Passerby
Vagrants, Buskers, and Passerby are citizens of London passing by the cathedral during “Feed the Birds.” They can also be play the Park Strollers earlier in the show.
Gender: any
Mrs. Corry
Mrs. Corry owns a magical Talking Shop. She is a mysterious woman of indeterminate age, but has plenty of spirit and is sharp as a tack. Cast an excellent actor who’s not afraid to be over the top in this fun role.
Gender: female
Vocal range bottom: C#4
Customers
The Customers are bright, colorful British citizens visiting Mrs. Corry’s Talking Shop. This group can be the same Park Strollers and Passersby from before.
Gender: any
Miss Andrew
Miss Andrew is George’s overbearing and scary childhood nanny. With her bottle of nasty- tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things: her way. Cast one of your stronger singers in this featured role.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G#3
Kite Flyers
Kite Flyers consist of families flying kites in the park. They can also be comprised of the same ensemble members as the Park Strollers, the Passersby, and Mrs. Corry’s Customers.
Gender: any
Chimney Sweeps
Chimney Sweeps (including Sweep 1, Sweep 2, Sweep 3, and Sweep 4) are Bert’s cheerful, friendly, and agile friends who keep London’s chimneys in working order. These actors should be great dancers and good singers, capable of bringing the show-stopping number “Step In Time” to life.
Gender: any
Policeman and the Messenger
The Policeman, a neighborhood patrol officer, and the Messenger, who delivers a summons to George from the bank, are great roles for students new to the stage that might not be ready for a large role.
Gender: any
- Literature
- Informational Texts
- Writing
- Speaking & Listening
- Language
- Mathematics
Billing
Requirements
Original Music and Lyrics by
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Co-Choreographer
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Lighting Design
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Stephen Mear
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Howard Harrison
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Video Warning
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.Included Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| DIGITAL SHOWKIT | 1 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| FAMILY MATTERS | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |