The young cast of Once Upon a Time Theater’s Mary Poppins Jr. received some expert advice from a living legend last week when original Mary Poppins film star Dick Van Dyke visited their production.
Van Dyke originated the role of cockney chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 Disney classic which starred Julie Andrews as the beloved, umbrella-toting nanny.
Van Dyke visited with the cast during rehearsals to offer some of his own Mary Poppins tips, and returned to attend their final performance at the Malibu Playhouse last weekend. The 92-year-old stage and screen veteran also joined the cast onstage to perform the Sherman Brothers’ “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
WATCH THE FIRST TEASER TRAILER FOR MARY POPPINS RETURNS, STARRING EMILY BLUNT AND LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
The 70-minute Broadway Junior version of Mary Poppins is based on the full-length London stage adaptation that premiered in 2004, and transferred to Broadway in 2006. Mary Poppins Jr. was released by Music Theatre International last fall.
The 92-year-old stage and screen veteran also makes a special appearance in Disney’s upcoming musical feature Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emma Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film arrives in theatres Christmas day.
