It's a jolly holiday with Mary

It's a Tinkerbell moment (I know, I know: wrong show): When Mary Poppins, holding her umbrella, toes pointed out, flies serenely through the air, across the stage, everybody claps.

The Walnut Street Theatre's production of Mary Poppins is full of those big irresistible Broadway moments, likely to delight children and their parents and their grandparents, and their cousins, and their dogs, and just about anybody who enjoys the sugar rush of Disneyfied musical comedy.

Here's the plot: Two dreadful children have driven six nannies from the field; their parents are desperate. A mysterious nanny, Mary Poppins (the delightful Lindsey Bliven), appears at the Banks house and whips them into shape, proving that "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."

After many magical adventures, accompanied by the chimney sweep Bert (David Elder), their father (the always excellent Jeffrey Coon) learns that family is more important than money, his wife (Rebecca Robbins) learns that she is more than just a meek housewife, and the two kids (Cameron Flurry and Jacob Wilner - both impressively and totally professional) learn the value of kindness. The takeaway message is to "reach for the stars," since, as one of the songs tells us, "Anything can happen if you let it."

The supporting cast is exceptionally good: Mary Martello does a charming turn as the maid, and Deborah Jean Templin doubles as both the moving Bird Woman and the horrible Miss Andrew, the Monster Nanny. The ensemble dances up a storm; their tap-dancing "Step in Time" is spectacular, as is their hand-jive "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," kind of like the Village People on speed.

Wayne Bryan directs, with barely a blank in the lively action, and Linda Goodrich's choreography is fun and high-energy (although it features a bit too much skipping for my taste). J Branson's scenic design provides an amusing doll-like house and a lovely starry sky beyond the rooftops.

The entire cast is in fine voice and the evening is guaranteed to win over any grouch or cynic in the crowd. And she flies!

Through Jan. 4 at the Walnut Street Theatre, Ninth and Walnut Streets. Tickets: $20-$95.

Information: WalnutStreetTheatre.org, 215-574-3550.

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