Staff Report

Main St. in Sardis will be busy tonight with the opening of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, JR. at the Panola  Playhouse at 7 p.m. The cast will present the classic tale three times this weekend, and again next weekend. Tickets for the opening performances are still available.

Based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time, and the Broadway musical that played for over 2,500 performances and received multiple Olivier and Tony Awards nominations, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, JR. is capturing hearts in a whole new way as the jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family.

Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again.

Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Show dates and times are Aug. 9, 10, 16, 17 at 7  p.m. and Aug. 11, 17, 18, at 2  p.m.  Tickets can be purchased at  www.panolaplayhouse.com.

Cutline:    The cast and crew of Mary Poppins, JR., will have opening night Friday, Aug. 9, at the Panola Playhouse in Sardis. (Contributed)