The cast is already deep in rehearsals with some exciting new twists to the show.
"It will definitely be one to remember but I can't give it all away – you'll just have to come along," Benfell said.
She predicts the family favourite will be a sell-out.
"Who doesn't know songs like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious or A Spoonful of Sugar?"
Energy Events Centre manager Joelene Elliott said staff had been working extremely hard, alongside Rotorua Musical Theatre, to enable the show to be staged in Rotorua.
"Mary Poppins was originally booked for the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre which recently had to close for earthquake strengthening.
"The technical equipment needed, including specialist rigs needed for Mary Poppins to fly across the stage will need to be built at the Energy Events Centre, but it's an exciting challenge and one we're keen to take on."
Join Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Bert, Mr and Mrs Banks and the many other beloved and colourful characters as the Energy Events Centre is transformed into Cherry Tree Lane for Rotorua's must-see theatrical event of 2018.
Based on P L Travers' beloved book series of the same name, Mary Poppins became an immediate hit when it premiered as a movie musical in 1964, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
Forty years later, Cameron Macintosh conceived the enchanting stage musical that combines elements of Disney's film with material inspired by Travers' books.
Tickets go on sale from January 8 at the Energy Events Centre.
