If you go
› What: “Mary Poppins”› Where: Athens Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tennessee› When: 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Sept. 21-22 28-29; 2 p.m. Sundays Sept. 23 and 30.› Admission: $15 adults, $10 students› For more information: 423-745-8781
Perhaps it's due to excitement over the upcoming "Mary Poppins" film starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt, due out in December, but for the second week in a row a regional theater's youth troupe is opening a production of "Mary Poppins."
The youth theater of Artistic Civic Theatre in Dalton, Georgia, opened their show last week. This weekend, the Athens Area Council for the Arts children's theater in Athens, Tennessee, presents "Mary Poppins," beginning Friday, Sept. 21. This production is not "Mary Poppins Jr.," but the full musical.
Jack-of-all trades Bert introduces the audience to the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many nannies packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep.
Using a combination of magic and common sense, she teaches the family members how to value each other. Mary Poppins takes the children on many memorable adventures, and even the grown-ups learn a lesson or two from the nanny.
Emma Brannen is cast in the title role. Baruch Gabel plays Bert.
The Banks family is comprised of Judah Renshaw and Lauren Luallen as parents George and Winifred. Walker Combs and Emerson McKenzie are their children, Michael and Jane.
The ACT production is directed by Tyler Peaden, with musical direction by Jennifer Nunley. Choreography is by Jedi Gabel.
For more information: 423-745-8781.