BWW Exclusive: MARY POPPINS Cast Memories- Q. Smith
By: Nicole Rosky Feb. 14, 2013
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As the Broadway production of Mary Poppins comes to a close, we asked current and original principle cast members, as well as current cast members who have been with the show since day one, to share with us some memories and tell us what being a part of the magic has meant to them. Q. Smith, who is the current 'Miss Andrew/Queen Victoria/Miss Smythe', shared:
My favorite memory would be being a part of the 1st National tour and the Broadway company. Mary Poppins has employed so many people all over the world and has taken me to places I never imagined I would go emotionally, artistically, and physically.
I have so many fond memories over the last 4 years. I would have to say one of my favorite memories was sharing a stage with Dick Vandyke in Los Angeles during our Los Angeles run of 3 months. It was surreal! He out danced everyone on stage in one particular number. He kicked higher than anyone! What a dream. He joined us for one night only doing a cameo appearance and it was so much fun! I've only been with the Broadway company 4 months, but if you want a "Broadway" answer, I'd have to say my favorite memory thus far was one night I had a pair of free tickets to our show and my friend's cancelled at the last minute and I didn't want the tickets to go to waste. I stood outside of the theatre almost 30 minutes trying to give away my tickets and everyone thought I was trying to con them or didn't believe they were real. More than that they didn't believe I was in the show either. Finally a dad comes up to me in a mild manner and said, "Excuse me, did you say you had free tickets?" "Yes," I said with a sigh of relief. "Would you and your daughter like them? I'll even give you a backstage tour." I had no idea what this man had been through, where he and his daughter were coming from or on their way to, but the look on he and his daughter's face was priceless. Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. Those tickets were for them. He told me afterwards that this gave him faith again and that dreams do come true. COME ON!!! LOL!
Mary Poppins has meant everything to my family and I. Doing this show reminded me everyday, that anything is possible. ANYTHING. As cliche' as it may be it is true that "If you reach for the stars, all you get are the stars. But if you reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in". It taught me how to reach.
Mary Poppins will conclude Broadway run at The New Amsterdam Theatre Sunday, March 3, 2013 after 2619 performances and more than six years. With attendance totaling nearly four million guests, the show has been seen by more people in the last six years than any Broadway show except Wicked and The Lion King. Mary Poppins opened on Broadway in 2006, just two years after debuting in London's West End, where it had received nine Olivier Award nominations and won Olivier, Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage Awards. The Broadway production received 25 major theatrical award nominations, winning Tony and Drama Desk Awards.
Mary Poppins will rank as the 22nd longest-running show in Broadway history by the time its run is complete, ranking between Best Musical winners Hairspray and Avenue Q on the list of long runs. For tickets, visit: http://www.marypoppins.com/tickets
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