When I discovered the opening production of the Wagon Wheel Theatre’s 2014 season was going to be “Mary Poppins,” the word Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious came to mind. It’s a word I use when my Lions club presents dictionaries to third-graders at the Milford School each year. As can readily be seen, it’s one of the longest words in the dictionary.

“Mary Poppins,” currently on stage, is an awesome experience. Unlike Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, I have plenty to say. The youngsters in the audience loved the musical. It was great to see so many there. And, the adults put on their inner kid and loved it, too.

It is, of course, the story of Mary Poppins, (Kira Lace Hawkins) a nanny with unusual skills. She flies into London and in what may be described by many as a remarkable fete, she floats above the Wagon Wheel stage. She pulls strange things out of her bag, much to the surprise of the Banks children and she creates magical fun times for her changes during the evening.

A typical London family of means during the Victorian era, the Banks are composed of the father, George (Scott Fuss); mother, Winifred (Jennifer Dow); and their two young children, Jane (Brielle Fehilmann); and Michael (Parker Irwin). The father is very strict and shows little love because of strict Nanny Miss Andrews (Kristin Yasenchak) he had as a child. The mother is a former actress who is trying to make her way in this unusual family where her husband wants her to be nothing but a society lady. Because of what seems to be a lack of love in the home the children have chased off a number of nannies.

Pulling everything together is Bert, the chimney sweep (Justin Schuman).

When Mary Poppins arrives things change. Some for the better. Some for the worse. Each is dealt with during the course of the play. If you have seen the movie you know the outcome. If you haven’t I won’t spoil it for you.

Hawkins was well cast as Mary Poppins. She gave the nanny the correct personality and spunk.

Schuman was perfect. Without saying a word, his actions tie the story together.

Fuss turns the father into the perfect hard-nosed London businessman.

Dow is always delightful to watch. She puts her all into being the typical wife and mother.

Fehilmann and Irwin are delightful. They don’t like their nannies and are not good children. Mary Poppins, however, is another story as she transforms them into the good children they should be.

The cast is large and so is the number of people behind the scenes. Space does not allow me to give all the credit they have coming. The performers all had great voices and the dances are outstanding with the dance scenes being magnificent. The dancers are peppy, flamboyant and colorful to the delight of the audience. Director/Choreorgrapher Scott Michales and Dance Captain Shey Dixon did an outstanding job of making it all work. The set is well crafted and magical. Kites fly overhead. There are even clouds in the sky. The costumes were brilliant and the lighting brought about special effects.

I highly recommend “Mary Poppins” for people of all ages. But don’t delay, tickets are going fast. Contact the box office at (574) 267-8041 or online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.org.