"It's A Jolly Holiday" for Steffanie Leigh

Mary Poppins is based on a cherished series of children's books written by P.L. Travers and made famous by the classic 1964 Walt Disney film. The books center on a mysterious, magical and forthright English nanny.

In 1964 when the film was released, I along with many other baby boomers, experienced one of my first and fondest cinematic memories-sitting on a step in the aisle of the movie theatre, with a bucket of popcorn, mesmerized as I watched Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and the Disney magic that was Mary Poppins.

Forty years later in 2004, Disney Theatrical produced the"supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" stage adaptation at the West End Theatre in London. It was moved to Broadway two years later in November of 2006, as a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh and has been running ever since. The show has played in 27 cities to date since then and it keeps on giving; with four productions currently running on three continents. To date, the six productions of the show have grossed over a half billion dollars with over 7 million guests worldwide.

This is the story line: George Banks is an old-fashioned, unlikable London banker struggling (and failing miserably) to hang onto a nanny for his two naughty children, Jane and Michael. The precocious kids know exactly what they want in their ideal nanny and compose an advertisement for one, with"a cheery disposition, rosy cheeks and one who plays games-of all sorts."Papa George completely dismisses the notion, but shortly therafter, the "practically perfect" Mary Poppins appears in the sky, blown in by the east wind to 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Mary's mission is to care for the children but her supernatural flair shakes things up and takes the unsuspecting family on a life- changing journey.

Steffanie Leigh, who previously understudied the title role in the touring production, has now moved into the lead. She co-stars with Nicolas Dromard, the original Broadway company member, in the role of Bert the affable chimney sweep. Leigh is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and has previously performed in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Into the Woods, Grease, Mame and Les Mis�rables.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a performer?

There really wasn't one moment that I had in my life. I did plays in middle school for the first time and fell in love with it. I was in a community that really supported the arts and then went through a great program in high school and I just knew that's what I wanted to do for a career.

How did you find out that you would be stepping in to the role of the irrepressible Mary Poppins?

I actually joined the tour about a year ago as an ensemble member and also the understudy for Mary Poppins. I probably played the role about a dozen times during the run. The actress playing Mary Poppins at the time, Caroline Sheen, decided she was going to go back home. After that they had auditions and they liked me enough and now I am playing it.

Congratulations, that sounds like such a great ride. You were in a string of strong productions prior to this one, which is your favorite role and why?

I really loved playing Cinderella in Into the Woods; awesome play, great music and I had a great time taking her journey every performance.

We talked about you understudying for the touring show; was being on the sidelines frustrating at the time?

Not really, the timing was just "pretty perfect" because it took a while to learn the role while I was performing every night and rehearsed during the day and then performed my ensemble track at night. I was still learning it and got comfortable performing on a few performances then the auditions happened. I loved watching Caroline, she was a beautiful Mary Poppins and I learned a lot from her and am so thankful for doing it now.

What was it like when they said you were going to go on for the first time?

I had known for a while because she had planned a vacation. I will never forget it, it was the biggest rush that I ever had. My mind was ultra-focused, I just remember in my head thinking, just get through it. The role is so technical and singing all of the songs, props, costume changes, choreography-all of that was overwhelming. I didn't get to practice too much, my mind was in a million places and by the time I got to bow, I started balling.

They broke you in! Now, you fly though the air during performances; what best describes that experience?

It is one of my favorite parts because there are lights that go on the audience and I can see everyone really well, pretty close. Little kids point and wave, their parents sitting next to them point and wave too. So, I really get to connect with the audience and I love that.

What quality of Mary Poppins is most like you?

I think I share her love of life and the character sees the good in things and I tend to do that.

How are you different?

Well, I am not "practically perfect" (Laughs), I cannot make things magically appear. But I also think she has a wonderful self confidence that I aspire to.

How have you made the role your own?

The creative team has been very generous in allowing me to create my own Mary Poppins. They never asked me to be like Caroline or Julie Andrews-letting it come from me. It is kind of interesting to play a character that is so iconic, I grew up learning lessons from this character and now I'm teaching those lessons.

Which is your favorite song from the show?

It kind of changes nightly-I love singing "Feed the Birds," such a beautiful melody. I love "Supercal," I remember singing it when I was a little kid watching the movie, we have added a bit to the song and spell out the word now, to song and dance, and it is so fun.

You are now based in New York after growing up in Oregon, what was the toughest part of that transition?

It's still tough coming from a small town. The energy is completely different; it is a different way of living that's for sure. I think I am adjusting to it.

What would you like to do next?

Oh gosh, I would love to continue to be a working actress and playing roles that challenge me, make me grow as an actress in whatever medium that happens to be. I would love to work in New York and I would love to do film and TV and do whatever will help me grow.

To learn more about Steffanie Leigh, go to steffanieleigh.com

Mary Poppins Runs Wednesday, August 10 through Sunday, August 21 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, 3666 Fourth Avenue, San Diego. Tickets: 619.570.1100 or broadwaysd.com