07.07.10 | guest-blogs | FanFare GuestsPrint this Post
Guest blogger Meaghan Couture writes:
True to form, when offered the opportunity to go and see Mary Poppins: The Musical live at our performing arts center here in the city, I jumped at the chance! Not only do I love live theatre, but I adore Mary Poppins. Tuesday evening rolled around and I went around doing all the things adults do nowadays: closing up work, getting in my car, racing around in rush hour traffic, narrowly escaping being hit by a bus and finally finding a parking garage to deposit my car for the evening. Getting out, I took a deep breath and looked up at the theatre much like a child would look at their first Christmas tree. Now, I've been to the theatre many times but every single time I feel giddy and excited! There is little in life more satisfying than a live production. This prodcution, especially, got me grinning ear to ear as I looked around me and saw mostly adults attending. How lovely! See, I told you deep down and underneath we're all just Kids In The Front Row. Here we were, people aged from 89 to 5 years of age all talking excitedly about the favorite parts we remembered from our childhood movie: the dancing penguins, the songs about spoonfuls of sugar, the merry-go-round, the chimney sweeps, the music! The Magic!
I wish you all could have seen it, it was quite a sight! All of the people facing the stage, watching with delight, clapping along to the rhythm, singing along to the songs, laughing, applauding, cheering! I was so moved to see all of these adults standing and cheering for a play recreating one of their favorites childhood movies.
I think we all should be able to tap into this part of ourselves more often. Leave work at work, forget the traffic, leave the bills for tomorrow and sit down to watch your favorite childhood film. It will do wonders for you!
I watched this as a kid for hours and hours, rewinding and watching it again and again! I will always believe in magic, in the extraordinary, in passion, in music, in good conquering evil.
The Litte Mermaid
I will, because of this movie, forever hope for more, strive to achieve the impossible, never give up hope for being a part of a world that seems out of reach. My two favorite songs, "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl" have shaped my life and I am glad.
Maybe he's right. Maybe there is something the matter with me.
I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad...
Believe, my friends. Believe in yourself, in happiness, in your dreams and in the world. You won't regret it.
Ah, Mary Poppins. A great classic for the whole family. A time classic that will never out-live its ability to bestow a little of that magic that lives in us all.
My childhood faves include The Seven Face sof Dr. Lao and The time Machine. The latter was remade and horrible! Hollywood shoul;d stay away from remaking such gems.
We have probably missed some "childlike wonders" due to our position in time and place, but thanks to restoration and DVD availability, we might have a second chance at many. One such wonder I have enjoyed recently with friends young and old is the world's first feature length animation "Adventures of Prince Achmed" (Lotte Reiniger, Germany 1926) recently reissued by the British Film Institute. Better than modern efforts from artistic and often even technical standpoints. Samples of Reiniger's beautiful work are available on Youtube, if you are curious.
None of them can hold a candle to the Disney masterpiece, "Snow White," a paean to innocence and the power of love!
Not only does she make for charming reading, the fascination and wonder of childhood should never be lost, and Meagan Couture shows this to be so true in her blog. Thanks Meagan