Behind the music with Lila Kane

An interview with URI Theatre Department’s musical director

The University of Rhode Island’s Theatre Department is putting on a classic musical fit for all ages, “Mary Poppins.” I had the privilege of meeting with the musical director, Lila Kane, to get a behind the scenes understanding of her role in creating the world on Cherry Tree Lane. The musical has some different takes than what is presented in the movie. For example, in this version of the play, the scene where they sing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is not off the race track. If you are unfamiliar with the story of Mary Poppins, which would be a tragic childhood upbringing, and if you are in college reading this, I highly recommend going to watch it right now.

It tells the tale of two children, Jane and Michael who have a controlling and frustrated father, George Banks, and his doting wife Winifred. George is always insisting that they hire a new nanny after the last quits, claiming the children are too frustrating to handle. Jane and Michael write their own letter of what they would like to have in a nanny and then Mary Poppins shows up. Together they go on magical adventures, learning to clean up their room, be kinder and live happier. This musical is such a classic tale that really warms all hearts, and the music has so much to do with that.

Lila Kane started working with URI in 2000, and was asked by URI to come and work on the show, having always been a fan of the theatre. Kane said doing a musical is much different than a concert, and especially Mary Poppins because it “really takes you back” to when you were a child, having that childish magical feel to it. The musical is full of classical songs like “Spoonful of Sugar” and “Step In Time.” While Kane did not get to put much of a personal spin on the songs, the movie and the musical are already quite different from one another. Some of the songs they cut from the original production, with everyone working together to create their own cool adaptation for URI.

The URI Theatre Department will be performing the Sherman Brothers’ Mary Poppins

The University of Rhode Island’s Theatre Department is putting on a classic musical fit for all ages, “Mary Poppins.” I had the privilege of meeting with the musical director, Lila Kane, to get a behind the scenes understanding of her role in creating the world on Cherry Tree Lane. The musical has some different takes than what is presented in the movie. For example, in this version of the play, the scene where they sing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is not off the race track. If you are unfamiliar with the story of Mary Poppins, which would be a tragic childhood upbringing, and if you are in college reading this, I highly recommend going to watch it right now.

It tells the tale of two children, Jane and Michael who have a controlling and frustrated father, George Banks, and his doting wife Winifred. George is always insisting that they hire a new nanny after the last quits, claiming the children are too frustrating to handle. Jane and Michael write their own letter of what they would like to have in a nanny and then Mary Poppins shows up. Together they go on magical adventures, learning to clean up their room, be kinder and live happier. This musical is such a classic tale that really warms all hearts, and the music has so much to do with that.

Lila Kane started working with URI in 2000, and was asked by URI to come and work on the show, having always been a fan of the theatre. Kane said doing a musical is much different than a concert, and especially Mary Poppins because it “really takes you back” to when you were a child, having that childish magical feel to it. The musical is full of classical songs like “Spoonful of Sugar” and “Step In Time.” While Kane did not get to put much of a personal spin on the songs, the movie and the musical are already quite different from one another. Some of the songs they cut from the original production, with everyone working together to create their own cool adaptation for URI.

The URI Theatre Department will be performing the Sherman Brothers’ Mary Poppins April 20-21 & April 27-28, 2018 7:30 PM, April 21, 22 & 28, 29, 2:00 PM