Mary Poppins in Seattle
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| Nicolas Dromard as ‘Bert’ performs “Step In Time” with the National Tour Company of MARY POPPINS. ©Disney/CML. Photo by Joan Marcus. |
Mary Poppins is undoubtedly one of the most popular children’s fiction characters ever. Previous generations knew her from a series of novels but ever since Julie Andrews starred in the Disney movie vision, the magical nanny’s been so closely associated from that musical that songs like “A Spoonful of Sugar” define the Mary Poppins experience for millions.
Tomorrow night, May 12, Mary and her friends give Seattle audiences a chance for an in-person experience as the stage musical version of Mary Poppins sings and dances its way across the stage at The Paramount Theatre, running from May 12 through May 29.
Cast member Nicolas Dromard spoke about the show:
How did you get involved with the show?
I was part of the original Broadway cast and understudied the role of Bert there.
What is your favorite part about being involved with the show?
Seeing people’s faces each night during the curtain call, just watching the smiles grow with each scene and being able to bring joy to people is such a wonderful feeling.
What has been the most difficult aspect of being involved with the show – what’s been the biggest challenge in your role so far?
It’s a very physical show, so just taking care of your body and making sure that I’m able to bring that 110% every night is a challenge, but every audience deserves our best.
It’s hard to imagine anyone unfamiliar with the story of Mary Poppins but if you had to explain the show in a few words to someone who didn’t know anything about it, how would you describe it?
It’s the story of a family in disarray that are reconnected by this magical woman and her friends, who teach the kids the value of respect and love, and bring the parents back together.
What do you hope audiences get from the experience of seeing Mary Poppins? Do you think there’s a lesson to be learned in the story or is it simply a chance to be entertained?
It’s definitely a show that brings both things to the audience. It is a wonderful entertaining show that people of all ages can enjoy, and there are amazing stories an lessons to be learned that anyone can apply in life.
Given the choice, would you prefer to be part a touring production like this one, or part of a show that plays at a single theater? What kind of influence, if any, on a show and its performers does being on the road bring? Do you think that facing different audiences in different cities has an impact on your acting or is it really no different than facing different audiences on different nights in a single theater?
No matter where you are, audiences are always different. One night they are loud and excited, and the other they are quiet. All audiences love the show but express themselves differently. Touring and sit down productions have their pros and cons, touring is such a great way to see the world and meet different people all over, discover new places, but it is taxing to always live out of your suitcases and change location every three to five weeks.
What’s the best part about travelling with a show?
When you tour with a production, your cast and crew become your family. It’s an incredible feeling to know that there are so many people that have your back, such an amazing support system. We hang out with each other, have “family” outings and have this incredible bond, this doesn’t happen in every company, nor every tour, but this one has it and it’s wonderful.
Compared to other plays you’ve been in, is Mary Poppins the most fun, least fun, or somewhere in between?
It’s definitely the most fun! It’s Disney and it’s magical.
