Get ready to laugh, cry, and possibly learn something about the human condition when you go to Lamar State College Port Arthur over the weekend. But, the lesson won’t come from a class curriculum; it will come from the stage. And when you’re at the stage, get ready to enjoy yourself most of all because “Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical” is coming to Port Arthur.

In what director Keith Cockrell deems “a story about a magical nanny who tries to take care of a pair of children whose parents are too busy for them” which has strong themes of family and relationships work through its core, Cockrell was quick to point out that first and foremost, “it’s mainly about entertainment.

“If you want to preach something, you can go to a church; [this] is entertainment.”

Still, Cockrell admitted that he hoped his and his staff’s rendition of “Mary Poppins” would “urge the audience to tell others how great it is. I want it to make people happy [and] for it to be something that if you missed it, you’ve really felt that you missed something special.”

Lead actress of the musical and Mary Poppins herself, Christine Couron, had similar sentiments regarding the special appeal of the musical.

“If you listen to the text in ‘Mary Poppins’, it has so many life lessons to teach. Everyone will leave with something they can put forward in their lives.”

The professionally trained actress and vocal performer also felt that “there won’t be a dry eye in the theatre. The end is unimaginably moving.” But she assured that those tears would be ones of happiness, not sadness.

“It’s a family friendly show full of magical surprises,” Couron said. “People will be shocked when they see us — in a good way.”

And who better to judge a production’s worth than an individual who has spent nearly her entire life up on stage?

Couron, who started dancing when she was three, performed in theatre during middle school at the age of 14, and then began singing when she was 16 in high school. All in all, she has worked or performed in theatre for over 22 years.

A graduate of Nederland High School, Couron went on to the University of Central Oklahoma where she received her degree in vocal performance, and then continued with it for her graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music.

“I know I was put on earth to do this,” Couron said. “I’m sending a message to the audience — through music, through text — knowing that it inspires [them].”

Her passion for theatre comes through in every word she has to speak about the theatrical art — acting, singing, dancing — and the power that it has to “teach people, [give] them something they can learn from.”

Couron’s love for “Mary Poppins” also emphasizes that aspect of theatre for her.

“Mary Poppins is a nanny who has magical skills. She overlooks this family for a while… and she tries to change their perspective and works to fix their problems.”

But, as Cockrell had said before, “Mary Poppins” can be enjoyed purely by itself as entertainment or as something deeper. The final decision, it would seem, comes down to the audience.

“Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical” debuts at the Dr. Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center main theatre at Lamar State College Port Arthur on the weekend of July 29, 30, and 31; the next weekend of August 5, 6, and 7; and then the following weekend of August 12 and 13. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm. with Sunday matinees starting at 2:30 pm. The theatrical production is a joint effort between Lamar and Port Arthur Little Theater.

To reserve tickets, call 409-984-6111.