Rossiter: A very 'Jolly Holiday' for the Reyners

Amy Reyner counted "Mary Poppins" as a favorite musical before her family embarked on a trip to Atlanta's Fox Theatre a few weeks ago.

But when the touring production modeled after the 1964 Disney hit counted the Reyners as its 1 millionth guests, well, that changed things a bit. The magical tale about a tough-love nanny glided past the field and landed on the Reyners' Statham fireplace mantle as the clear No. 1.

"We thought we were just going as a family to have fun," said Amy, 12. "But it was not just a family trip."

The daylong journey started with dad Kris, mom Stephanie, their son Nathan, 8, and daughter Amy trekking to the Fox for a matinee show, among the last run of "Mary Poppins" in the capital city.

The family completed forms dubbed as "marketing surveys" when they arrived and then went on their way to their balcony-level seats.

Umbrella-wielding "Mary Poppins," played by Caroline Sheen, flew from the rafters. And Gavin Lee, as chimney sweep "Bert," tap-danced upside down and walked sideways. The lights flipped on and intermission started, followed by the family's own magical interlude.

A production staff member escorted the Reyners to orchestra-level seats. They were told they'd won a prize and to sit tight.

An announcement would follow the show.

"We didn't even know there was a contest going on, hadn't heard anything about it," Stephanie Reyner said. "We went as a family, just spending the day there."

When the curtains fell for the final time, the Reyners were taken backstage. They waited "in the wing," Amy explained, meaning out-of-view from the audience. But the family could see and hear "Bert&qu

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