Backstage at “Mary Poppins” with the NYMetroParents Contest Winner

Grace Timsit, winner of four backstage passes to Mary Poppins on Broadway, courtesy of Disney and NYMetroParents, tells us about her experience at the show.

 

Backstage at Mary Poppins with Laura Michelle KellyOn March 7, Brooklyn resident Grace Timsit and her family experienced the wonder of Mary Poppins on Broadway. Timsit, 38, who works as an office manager for Universal Mortgage in Park Slope, won our February giveaway: four orchestra tickets and a backstage tour to the show, courtesy of Disney.

“It was magnificent, just gorgeous,” Timsit said of the show. “It’s hard to put into words.”

Timsit brought along husband Marc and daughters Allegra, 8, and Yola, who turned 7 in February. Timsit said she had planned to bring the girls to their first Broadway show for Yola’s birthday, but it just hadn’t worked out. Then on March 2, Timsit got the news that she’d won tickets and an exclusive backstage tour to Mary Poppins on the day of her choice. Though a bit belated, the birthday present went over well, Timsit said.

“Right after the show ended Yola said, ‘Wow, that was amazing!’ and we were all thinking the same thing,” Timsit said.

Next, the family was taken for a behind-the-scenes tour with the stage manager, where they saw first-hand how everything works backstage at the show. As the manager explained props and costumes, Mary Poppins herself (Laura Michelle Kelly) came out to meet the family and sign autographs for Allegra and Yola. “She’s beautiful in person,” Timsit said. “The girls were loving it.”

The only problem, Timsit said, will be the next time she brings her girls to a Broadway show. “They’re definitely spoiled now,” Timsit explained. “They’re going to expect to go backstage every time!”

 

For more on the show, check out: Mary Poppins on Broadway: The Magical Nanny Keeps Flying