Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre will sing in the New Year with a special return engagement of the Sing-A-Long version of Walt Disney's classic "Mary Poppins," from January 11th through the 31st, it was announced today (January 2, 2007) by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The film will be projected digitally using fully restored film elements and a re-mastered soundtrack featuring state-of-the-art audio technology. Audiences are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters from the film, and to lend their voices to the classic soundtrack (as the words to the songs are projected up on the screen). Each performance will include a live appearance by Mary Poppins herself. As an added bonus for the opening night show, (Thursday, January 11th at 6:30 pm), Academy Award(R)-winning songwriter Richard Sherman (who wrote the songs with his brother, Robert Sherman) will introduce the film and perform some of his classic tunes from the film. Daily showtimes are 10:00 am, 1:10 pm, 4:20 pm, 7:30 pm (plus 10:15 pm on Friday and Saturday nights only). Tickets are available at the box office, on-line at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group rates for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110.
Commenting on the announcement, Breier said, "We couldn't think of a better way to start the New Year than with a return engagement of the Sing-along 'Mary Poppins.' During its inaugural engagement, audiences had a real blast singing along with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, and David Tomlinson, and it proved to be one of our all-time most popular events. From the original Disney film to hit stage productions in London and Broadway, 'Poppins' is practically perfect entertainment for moviegoers of all ages. Here's a rare opportunity to see this great film digitally projected on the big screen, and to add your own voice to one of the greatest soundtracks of all-time."
Originally released in 1964, "Mary Poppins" represented the pinnacle of Walt Disney's filmmaking and storytelling career, and the film went on to receive a supercalifragilistic 13 Oscar(R) nominations. It won Academy Awards(R) for Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee"), Best Musical Score, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects. Based on the classic characters and stories of P. L. Travers, Disney's screen version of "Mary Poppins," follows the fantastic adventures of a magical English nanny who arrives at the Bank household in answer to a letter from Jane and Michael. Mary, and her chimneysweep friend, Bert, turn things upside down as they teach the children how to laugh and have fun, and in the process show the parents about the things that matter most in life. From the rooftops of London to a jolly holiday in the English countryside (complete with penguin waiters), "Poppins" is sure to delight audience of all ages and all generations. El Capitan guests can add their own voices to such musical favorites as "Spoonful of Sugar," "Step in Time," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Jolly Holiday," and "Let's Go Fly a Kite," among others.
