Regional premiere of 'Mary Poppins' comes to Hilton Head's Arts Center

Casey Colgan loves the "old-style" musicals.

In fact, Colgan, who recently directed "Singing in the Rain" and "Gypsy" for the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, enjoys every aspect of the "monster musicals" as he calls them, sometimes even handling the choreography as well.

But when the longtime Hilton Head director decided to take on one of the business' most iconic not to mention complicated of musicals -- "Mary Poppins" -- Colgan was relieved to have choreographer Nic Thompson on his team.

The musical opens at the center on Wednesday.

"This is a gynormous production," he said on a break from rehearsals recently. "We're fortunate to have Nic."

With more than 30 members in the cast and about as many on its production team, Poppins is somewhat complicated musical to stage and direct to begin with.

But throw in at least five different styles of dance -- from ballet to tap and musical theater -- not to mention nine major production numbers, and suddenly you have a balancing act to end all balancing acts.

"It's a lot," Thompson said recently between rehearsals. "You just have to trust that the dancers and all the people are professional and know what they're doing. And so I look at what is going to further the story even more."

Incidentally, Thompson was as an ensemble member in the Broadway production of "Mary Poppins."

The busy choreographer said he hoped to bring some of that experience to the regional premiere at the center.

"It's definitely influencing and inspiring a lot of things we're doing in the show," he said.

And at the heart of the musical, both Thompson and Colgan said, is a really good story.

Somewhat different than the movie version, the stage version of Mary Poppins "has more heart" Thompson said.

For those interested in learning more about the story behind the story written in the early '30s by writer P.L. Travers, Colgan suggested checking out the movie "Saving Mr. Banks" starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as Travers.

But Colgan said he was "riveted" when he first saw the stage production in New York City.

"The story was so loving," he said, recounting a "tearful and joyful moment" at the end when the father remembers the importance of spending time with his children.

The holidays, he added, is the perfect time of year to remember those things.

"It's the perfect time for those lessons," he said.

If you go

"Mary Poppins" opens Wednesday at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

Based on the books by P.L. Travers, the Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's production features "high-flying" special effects and such familiar songs as "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Tickets for preview performances on Wednesday and Thursday are $49.

Tickets Dec. 11-31 are $59.

Discounts are available for children ages 5-15.

Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. on Sundays.

"Mary Poppins" runs through Dec. 31.

For more information call 843-842-2787 or visit www.artshhi.com.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

Related content:

• Art Notes: 'Tis the season for new art, music and more, Dec. 3, 2015

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Regional premiere of 'Mary Poppins' comes to Hilton Head's Arts Center."