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Mary Poppins is one of Walt Disney’s most well known movies and is now a hit Broadway Musical which is making it’s way to Des Moines this month.

Released in more than 45 years ago, the film took home five Academy Awards in 1965 and continues to captivate millions of children of all ages. In 2006, Mary Poppins debuted as a Broadway musical and in 2009 the first national tour of the show began.

Mary Poppins makes its Iowa debut next week and features Marion County native Eric Hatch. Hatch grew up in Knoxville and knew from a young age that he wanted to be on stage. He attended Knoxville High School before leaving a few weeks early his senior to pursue his dancing dream. Since then, he has starred in a variety of productions including Broadway’s West Side Story, Legally Blonde and The Pirate Queen.

Despite having performed for hundreds of people each night for several years, Hatch says there will be a little extra pressure when he has the opportunity to perform for the hometown crowd. In addition to some familiar faces in the audience, Hatch says he’s looking forward to being able to perform at the Civic Center where he saw various productions as a child.

Hatch is a member of the ensemble in the show which will be performed at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines November 26th through December 12th. Show times and ticket information is available at www.civiccenter.org.

For more with Eric Hatch download or listen to Wednesday’s Let’s Talk Knoxville program by clicking Radio Plus on the right side of this page.