Director’s Note
At times in life, all of us need a “spoonful of sugar.” Mary Poppins is based on the stories of P.L Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert S. Sherman. In typical Disney fashion, the stage version retains cinematic qualities: frequent set changes, special effects, and boundless energy. Nothing is impossible when you can call “Cut!”, do another take, and then head to the editing room. In live theatre, there are no cuts or editing; it involves homemade magic and a lot of hopes every idea will work. There were many times we wished Mary Poppins herself could step in and help.
Mary would not shrink from such a challenge. Neither is she reluctant to take on the task of helping the loving, but dysfunctional Banks family. She seems to come from the stars to Cherry Tree Lane and then returns to the heavens. She is the best within all of us and brings out the best in all of us. She is a paragon of practicality and positivity. Magic and stagecraft, in all its forms, are used to make the point that positivity is, in fact, not magical. Positivity is so constructive. It gives us the strength to persevere and succeed, the resilience we need to deal with the obstacles, issues, and obligations inherent in life. Mary Poppins and people you already know with the quality of positivity are infectious. They inspire and encourage us with just their presence. Then, possibly, we do the same for others. "Spit Spot!"
Mary Poppins is a muse inspiring each of us to discover these strengths within ourselves. We, as individuals, and as participants in society, have the potential to continue to grow. Each of us possesses the “spoonful of sugar.”
Mary’s simple lessons teach us about normal human capabilities conveyed through demanding songs, dances, and theatrical magic. Our concept of the limits and boundaries of our capabilities are expanded through sudden appearances, the spontaneous reassembly of things that have fallen apart, and flight. Each day at practice, the cast and crew worked excitedly to understand my middle-of-the-night visions, whether concerning the emotional basis of a scene or the way to make something disappear. When a scene clicked or an effect worked, each of us felt Mary’s spirit within us and a feeling of being the “Mary Poppins’ family.” The experience of making theatre is magical not only for the cast and crew, but through performing it, while creating a greater bond with the audience. Through theatre we create, learn, and develop empathy.
The success of a play depends on the comradery of everyone working together for a common goal. Thank you to the talented cast, tech crew, and scenic team. You are so much fun and will always be part of the “Mary Poppins” family. It has been my pleasure working with all of you and until “we meet again,” remember a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Love you!! Thank you to our volunteers for all your long hours and hard work on set construction, ticket sales, feeding the cast and crew, running concessions, and all kinds of errands. We were so fortunate to have an amazingly talented cast, but up until last week we lacked a tech team which is essential to any production. Thank you to our UNF student and our Creekside theatre students for jumping in and saving the day. Creekside theatre students deserve special kudos for leaving their Harry Potter practice and coming straight to our practice. All of you made this tech team so extraordinary. Your work, love of theatre, and dedication exemplifies you as role models to your peers. You are rock stars! Act II Players Board of Directors, thank you for this opportunity to become part of this group. You are an amazing, friendly, caring group of people to work with and have the spirit of Mary Poppins within you! I am glad to be part of this group and look forward to many future, outstanding productions. It was and is a proud moment to be able to work with my former Bartram theatre students who are so talented and dedicated and will always have a special place in my heart. Special thanks to my family. What can I say? You inspire me and make my life meaningful. To my husband Michael, great job once again. Your set designs were Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Special thanks to my daughters, Leia and Juliet. Leia, your students are awesome; thanks for sharing them with us. Juliet, your choreography was so creative and inspired us to dance.
Now, sit back, and enjoy a “spoonful of sugar.”
~Ava Fixel, Director
