Diamond Head Theatre takes to the skies as it launches its 100th season with the Hawaii premiere of the Broadway musical "Mary Poppins."

Focusing on the fantastical aspect of the P.L. Travers books, the directorial team, designers and performers unleash their imaginations to create a bountiful dose of magic.

As the scrim’s softly shadowed image of London gives way to the Banks family residence, their home — a two-level boxed structure whose front doors open like a trifold picture book — draws the audience in.

The classic 50-year-old Disney film starring Julie Andrews firmly implanted "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in our memories. The stage version of "Mary Poppins" provides fresh ones. Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman’s original score merges with new music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and Julian Fellowes’ book combines elements of Travers’ stories and the Disney movie with novel material.

As the mystical Poppins, Tricia Marciel delves into the complex character of the beloved nanny who possesses magical powers and an adventurous spirit yet adheres to structure, etiquette and common sense. Marciel has the depth as an actress and range as a singer to thoroughly express the character’s enigmatic personality.

New Yorker David Spangenthal assumes three major roles as director, choreographer and leading man Bert. His ensemble members frequent the stage as living statues, bank clerks, toys and chimney sweeps, and Spangenthal provides several dynamically choreographed and visually stunning production numbers.

"Step in Time" is a journey in and of itself.

The roles of George Banks (Venis Goodman) and Winifred Banks (Lea Woods Almanza) reveal the insecurities that create the family’s dysfunction. Goodman shares his character’s inner struggles in "A Man Has Dreams" and "Good for Nothing," while Almanza’s captivating voice expresses her mixed emotions in "Being Mrs. Banks."

The children — double-cast with Rylie Goto and Camille Perry as Jane and Luke Ellis and Matias Durkin as Michael — are the plot’s instigators, conjuring up "The Perfect Nanny" and adopting Mary Poppins and Bert as surrogate parents. All four young performers are in DHT’s Shooting Stars program, and on opening night Goto and Ellis shone brightly, fueling each other’s energies like true siblings. Goto’s confidence on stage and sensitivity to her character are evident in each movement and facial expression.

Fredrico Biven as Admiral Boom, Lisa Konove as the Bird Woman and Ahnya Chang as Mrs. Corry are other standouts.

Costume designer Karen Wolfe and hair and makeup designer Friston Ho‘o­kano make delicious choices for the visually extravagant "Supercal" number in addition to the fetching Victorian attire. Willie Sabel’s sets, Marvin Rea’s props and Stephen Clear’s lighting schemes provide a broad canvas of texture and color.

The orchestration adds ethereal sound motifs, and musical director Phil Hidalgo maintains a comfortable volume level for the performers.

Spangenthal directs a sensitive and uplifting production that faces and conquers technical challenges and still preserves the story’s emotionally tender elements.

Attending this practically perfect musical may be practically impossible due to robust ticket sales, but try — magic happens.

Jane Kerns is a doctoral student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and holds degrees in theater and vocal performance. She has performed as an actor and singer in New York.