Is there anybody young or old who doesn’t wish they had a nanny like the magical Mary Poppins? Well, that magic is now on stage for all to share.

Center Theatre Group, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney brought "Mary Poppins", the stage musical to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on August 10^th, for a second time, running through September 2^nd.

In January of 2012, this touring production broke box office records for the highest weekly gross in Toronto’s theatre history, grossing over $2 million Canadian in the one week ending January 1^st playing at The Princess of Wales Theatre.

The musical has won over 44 major theatre awards including Tony and Olivier Awards.

This stage play directed by Richard Eyre is based on the stories of P.L. Travers in 1910 London and the 1964 Walt Disney Academy Award winning film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.

The world premiere was in 2004 at The Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End where it ran for 3 years. The Broadway production is now in its 6^th year.

Needless to say, my expectations were very high. I knew that there would be special effects. This is Disney after all. Just two weeks before, I watched Marys flying into London’s Olympic stadium during the 2012 Olympic opening ceremonies.

I have had a love-hate relationship with special effects in live theatre.

On one hand there is the purity of the late Marvin Hamlisch’s, "Chorus Line". On the other there is the falling chandelier in "Phantom of the Opera" and the helicopter landing on stage in "Miss Saigon".

Shouldn’t great theatre be able to stand on its own without?

"Mary Poppins" with her spoonful of sugar cured me.

This is a musical that will make everyone, young and old smile. There were 7 year old children behind me who didn’t show the slightest signs of restlessness during the 2 hour and 45 minute performance. There was a 104-year-old granny who I met at intermission who told me she couldn’t remember when she last had so much fun. All beamed with exhilaration forgetting their worries as they inhaled the superb acting, the gorgeous costumes, the sets, the lighting, the lovely music, the great dancing and the magic that we were all caught up in.

The story is about two children, Jane Banks (played that night by Cherish Meyers, who had just played her role in Calgary alternating with Marissa Ackerman) and her brother Michael Banks. Michael was played by Zachary Mackiewicz who alternates with Zach Timson.

The two youngsters had deftly managed to scare away several nannies that their parents were trying to get to care for them. The two decided to compose their own for-hire ad with the qualities that suited them.

With a whirl of wind Mary Poppins, played wonderfully by Rachel Wallace, lands and is instantly hired. The magic begins as she furnishes her room with a huge plant, a large clock, a full sized coat rack, a wall mirror and a bed that she pulls out of her satchel. The children are won over and the story continues.

Do not expect the stage production to coincide with the film version. The stage production has a somewhat dark side to it as it explores the relationship the parents, especially the father, faultlessly played by Michael Dean Morgan, who believes in "precision and order", has with his young son who wants nothing more than to have his father be the one to teach him to fly a kite.

There is a sculpture garden scene that is one of my many favorites. Magically the sculptures come to life showing off the great Matthew Bourne’s choreography. I have too many favorites to mention. You need to see them yourself.

Ottawa’s Nicholas Dromard who also originated the role on Broadway brilliantly plays the role of Bert, the chimney sweep/street artist, originated in the film by Dick Van Dyke.

I referred to special effects. SPOILER ALERT: I won’t deny that I’m capable of embellishing BUT… and to prove that I’m not misleading you I’ve included a link to YouTube footage from the Broadway production of Bert tap dancing his way up a wall to the ceiling from where he taps, literally hanging upside down during the musical number "Step in Time".

There is much, much more to this marvelous musical with its glorious ensemble. Much should be kept a surprise. You’ll just have to see it for yourself.

When I was a little girl my father, who loves musical theatre took time from his busy career to take me to the movies and theatre to share his love of historic and classic movies and plays such as "The King and I", "Flower Drum Song", "South Pacific", "Brigadoon", "Porgy and Bess" and more with me.

To this date I remember each and every one he exposed me to but most importantly, that he shared the experience with me. He didn’t send me with my friends or neighbors or a nanny. He took me himself. Of the many gifts he’s given me the love of musical theatre is definitely one of the most precious.

That parent-child bonding over something as simple as learning to fly a kite is what "Mary Poppins" is all about.

If you have the opportunity grab it. Take your kids, your grand kids, your nieces and nephews to a production that will introduce them to the joys of musical theatre.

"Mary Poppins" is practically perfect but absolutely perfect for that.

Tickets are available on-line at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, at the box office at 601 West Temple Street at the Los Angeles Music Center in downtown L.A. or by calling 213-972-4400. Prices range from $20.00 to $150.00 and are subject to change.

Be sure to check out the Center Theatre Group’s upcoming season at the same site.

Information on touring dates and cities throughout Canada and the USA are also available on-line.

Really….this is supercalifradulistic simply quite precocious.