Mary Poppins Review-11/11/06 2pm

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:07am

This show is going to be a hit, no doubt in my mind...despite what happened at the end (more on this later) it was one of the most satisfying new musicals I have ever seen.

The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The Banks' home is one of the most effective stage sets I've ever seen (it received massive applause when the nursery came down for the first time). (NOTE: The house is a 20 ton set that is built as a life-size doll house. The attic serves as the nursery, and it flies in from the ceiling on numerous occasions). Jolly Holiday was great fun, and Step in Time was also wonderful. But I also appreciated some of the simpler moments, such as the kite scene, and Feed the Birds.

Despite all its showiness in the first act, I listened hard to what the story was saying, which was why on numerous occasions, I found extreme chills running through my body, and tears weltering in my eyes. These moments were the beautifully staged Feed the Birds, Let's Go Fly a Kite, Step in Time, Anything Can Happen, and Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise). These scenes were where the show's messages were most prominent. I also had these experiences in many other instances.

The performances were almost all wonderful. Ashley Brown as the title character was marvelous despite seeming a bit young at times. She more than makes up for that problem with a loveable, yet revered portrayal.

Gavin Lee as Bert is charming the entire time and wins your heart from the beginning, as his character should. But I don't think it's necessarily the best role in the show, as some have seemed to advertise. Despite this, the powers that be made a wise decision to import him from London because he is a real credit to the stage.

Rebecca Luker and Daniel Jenkins as Mrs. and Mr. Banks, respectively, were both incredible. They had wonderful chemistry, and really helped ground the show. Luker’s Being Mrs. Banks is one of the best performances in the show.

Jane Carr and Mark Price as Mrs. Brill and Roberston Ay, respectively, are fantastic. Their roles seem a bit small though, and you leave wishing they'd had more to do.

Ruth Gottschall makes a great villain out of Miss Andrew, Mr. Banks’ childhood nanny. She terrified the children, and me. She also shows off incredible high notes!

Cass Morgan, in her small role of the Bird Woman was effective. As I said, Feed the Birds may be my favorite moment of the show, with the moving sky, with birds…it was a stirring moment with a crystal clear message.

The ensemble is composed of what are the hardest working individuals on Broadway. The ensemble goes through, roughly, 8 costume changes, AND 8 makeup changes, with almost all of them being within minutes of one another. Step in Time, which is a 10-minute number, deserved ovations for its dancers.

Kathryn Faughnan was a bit of a snobby Jane. Henry Hodges was difficult to understand from the get-go, despite having some great acting instincts.

Now for the BIGGEST MISHAP I've ever seen on Broadway...

For the first time in the Broadway production, Mary Poppins DID NOT fly over the audience...it was actually rather scary what happened.

The wires were lowered, and suddenly Miss Brown was pulled onto the stage by the wires (they tried to have her fly from the upstage right angle instead)...She was trying to stay on the ground, and she looked to be very afraid. The crew then came on stage (this was all on the side, though), and tried to throw her in the air, but she grabbed onto them. It was probably very difficult for them to hear one another with the loudness of the music. Despite this, I was not upset. Sure, it would've been incredible to see, but Miss Brown's safety is millions of times more important than that. And besides, after they took her offstage, the ending was still rewarding, because the family walked off, together, and that's what the story was all about anyway.

As a fan of the books and the film, I found this to likely be the definitive version of the story and its message. The main focus was on trying to make the family become whole again.

This is one of the best shows I have ever seen on Broadway. I was emotionally moved on numerous occasions, and was impressed with the cast as well. It all works so seamlessly, and it is worth every penny.

As a side note: I ran into CamMac on W 44th after the show on my way to dinner! :)

Updated On: 7/29/07 at 10:07 AM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:13am

GREAT review, im glad you enjoyed the show

that is too bad about Ashley, though- i feel really bad for her! so the wires and stuff were twisted around her? sounds pretty scary! but im glad she's alright!
:)

i would love to see this sometime if i could get tickets!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:33am

That's definately what it looked like...she really looked like she was in pain.

But I HIGHLY recommend this show!

I sat in the 3rd row of the Balcony. Sit here and don't waste your money on the Orchestra or Mezz...my ticket cost $60.00...I was extremely close to the stage and could see perfectly.

[kec]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:36am

Thanks to Phantom, I think you mean Gavin LEE, not CREEL.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:37am

Thanks...I'm a bit tired :)...it's changed now.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:03am

great review. gosh, if i were up there twisted up in wires and they tried to have me fly, i'd scream! poor Ashley...glad you liked it, though

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:07am

That was my fear when I saw the show. Glad she didn't fly.

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:16am

I saw the show on Thursday night and they also had trouble with the flying equipment! Although the ending flying sequence went off without a hitch, the part when Ashley is supposed to fly down holding the kite never happened - there was a loud bang right beforehand and then she walked onstage from the wings.
I hope they can get rid of all the flying kinks by Thursday's opening night!

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:16am

I saw the show on Thursday night and they also had trouble with the flying equipment! Although the ending flying sequence went off without a hitch, the part when Ashley is supposed to fly down holding the kite never happened - there was a loud bang right beforehand and then she walked onstage from the wings.
I hope they can get rid of all the flying kinks by Thursday's opening night!

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:20am

Wow! Can you imagine being Ashley? Being hurled by the crew to an unsafe flight while desperately trying to grab them and the ground so as not to die. Glad they did what was safe though how dissapointing that she didn't fly.

I have to say that I'm glad you appreciated Feed The Birds because that was 100% my favorite moment in the show. Being Mrs. Banks a close second. Ashley Brown's Mary Poppins as a whole though was certainly my favorite performance. I found myself watching her every moment of the show regardless of whether she had the focus or not. Her Mary Poppins was such an enigma to me it was a fine characterization!

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 12:36pm

Saw the evening performance last night (11/11) and all the flying sequences went off without a hitch - admittedly it was a very special effect given all the other shows that "fly."

Posted my review in an earlier thread (won't double post), although I'm not as enamored with the production as most seem to be, it is was an enjoyable evening.

According to people from London sitting next to me, they seem to have tamed down Temper Temper considerably and made "more colorful, bright and joyful "Jolly Holiday."

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:06pm

They are correct, frontrowcenter.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:39pm

I forgot to mention because I was so tired...

She does fly up the bannister during Brimstone (still).

And the ensemble is probably one of the hardest working I've ever seen...they have about 8 makeup changes alone, I counted.

[deck925]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:04pm

I was also at the matinee yesterday, we sat in the balcony and the view was great. I thought Ashley Brown was outstanding, and Gavin Lee was also great. Was it just me or could you hear them talking when they were trying to get her in the air? Out of curiousity is the show going to be re-recorded? I was thinking about buying the OLC but would rather wait for the OBC if there is one to come.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:46pm

I didn't hear them. The music was rather loud. But it was still nerve-wrecking to watch.

I am pretty sure there won't be an OBCR, but there's no harm in waiting...usually if there's no announcement by the weekend after opening, it's a lost cause.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:57pm

Just bumping to say I've slightly rewritten my review for those who haven't seen the show yet, so I clarified things a little more. (I have a tendency to write my thoughts in blotches and then fix them later on).

[Broadway Baby4]

Posted: 1/20/07 at 6:57pm

AMAZING REVIEW!!!!!!

You've got me excited about seeing it!

Too bad I have to wait five weeks.