Q. Smith on Educating Kids and ‘Changing the World’ in Mary Poppins Tour

She might only have one song in the show, but playing the Bird Woman in the national tour of Mary Poppins is worth much more than “tuppence” to Q. Smith. As the kind character who sings “Feed the Birds” in the classic Disney show, which plays Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre from July 17 through July 22, Smith feels her solo packs an emotional wallop.

“The song is not a lullaby or a nice ballad to sing; ‘Feed the Birds’ is a song of charity, hope and kindness,” Smith told Broadway.com. “I love singing it to the children in the show because they are still learning about life and what it means to give. I feel the Bird Woman and myself can help change the world with this song.”

Touching audiences is a feeling Smith says she has on a nightly basis during curtain call. “The audience roars and stands to their feet and I look around at the children, parents and grandparents with tears in their eyes and pure joy on their faces,” Smith said. “I am always moved at the work that we do. We change people's lives.”

In Mary Poppins, Smith is part of a cast that includes Rachel Wallace as Mary Poppins, Case Dillard as Bert, Michael Dean Morgan as Mr. Banks and Elizabeth Broadhurst as Mrs. Banks.