Another Jolly Holiday With Mary Poppins (2/3/06 Performance)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 12:21am

Well, I went back to the New Amsterdam for my second viewing of Mary Poppins (the family wanted to see it). I'm thrilled to report that the show is in excellent shape, though I have the exact same criticisms that I had the first time around.

The show runs about 45 minutes too long. There's too much superfluous story and now that my rose-colored glasses are off, I see exactly what could be chopped. Temper, Temper serves no real purpose (though is, arguably, one of the greatest numbers in the show). Feed the Birds can be cut, though Cass Morgan was terrific. Robertson Ay and Mrs. Brill serve no purpose, except for comic relief in an otherwise dull environ. (They're very well played by Jane Carr and Mark Price.)

The show is a great spectacle - you can't help but smile when watching. And when she flies, the enthusiasm of the crowd makes one realize what Broadway is all about.

Love Crowley's sets and costumes (Tony worthy). Ditto for Howard Harrison's lighting design. Matthew Bourne's manic choreography still isn't as thrilling as it could be, though when Gavin dances upside down, the roof is blown off the house. Richard Eyre's smooth production has gotten even smoother.

Delaney Moro and Matt Gumley were great as the kids. Daniel Jenkins is still miscast as Mr. Banks. Rebecca Luker is the best one on the stage (here's hoping for a Tony nod). Gavin Lee is remarkable, as always. Birthday-girl Ashley Brown is a dream as Mary, beautiful everything, giving her all on her day. Still, you can't help but realize how dispensable she actually is. You know that once she's gone, someone else who looks and sounds exactly like her (the Disney theatrical female employees ALL sound alike) will be waiting in the wings.

Happy birthday, Ashley. To you and the rest of the cast, have a great run. You guys deserve it.

Updated On: 2/4/07 at 12:21 AM

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 12:41am

Oh, happiness is bloomin' all around her!

I can't wait to see this again (no ticket reserved yet, but likely in April or May!). I'm glad to see it's still fantastic!

Luker is fantastic. I really can't wait to see full-up-and-runnin Poppins compared to preview Poppins! :)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 12:57am

"Rebecca Luker is the best one on the stage"

I totally agree...she is fantastic in this show.

[Julian2]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 3:26am

Glad you still liked it. I had very similar criticisms from when I saw it.

Updated On: 2/4/07 at 03:26 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 8:13am

The show just gets better over time. It's not Shakespeare, but it's a lot of fun.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 8:34am

Glad you liked the show

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 9:03am

BTW, Phantom, Cherry Tree Lane is painted on the curtain, not projected.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 10:55am

Thank you. I've been confused! I'm glad to have full confirmation.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 11:00am

Glad you had a GREAT time, I loved it myself

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 11:25am

amazing show!

[bwaydancr]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 12:16pm

Was there a swing in for one of the dancers? I saw the show Friday night and a dancer went down HARD during "Step In Time" and I was wondering if he/she is okay or out.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 12:24pm

Couldn't tell you. Ensemble tracks aren't usually advertised absences, they're just told to whomever in the production needs to know (conductor, stage manager, etc).

And my mistake, it was Matt Gumley as Michael, not Alex.

[zerodanny]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 1:34pm

I would love to see it on Broadway...might be coming to NYC in December..CAN'T WAIT!! never been to the US and has always been my dream!! I hope ashley will still be in MARY POPPINS, by the way who do you think will be the next Mary on Broadway?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 1:38pm

Ashley's there for the remainder of the year, at least, and I doubt she'll leave any time soon.

If they want to go for the same overall look and sound, my future Mary list includes Erin Dilly, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Lisa Brescia, Susan Egan, and pretty much anyone else who has previously played Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 1:39pm

Except Christy Carlson Romano. I love her and all, but I can't see her as Mary Poppins...maybe?

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 1:41pm

Thanks for the great review!
I'll be there next Tuesday and we're pretty psyched about it!
Glad to hear your thoughts before we go.

[kate2]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 2:40pm

I was there last night too. I agree with what you said about the show running for 45 minutes too long. Temper, Temper should have definitely been cut. I had pretty high expectations for this show, but I ended up being bored most of the time with the exception of Step In Time. I thought Supercal... went on for too long. The sets were incredible though. They were my favorite part.

[D2]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 2:47pm

Yankee, if someone is out of a show for any reason, whether they are a principal or in the back row of the chorus, their absence and the understudy/swing is announced by a sign in the lobby, an insert in the program or an announcement before the show begins.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 3:09pm

D2 - I know and understand that.

However, we're discussing an ensemble member's absence. An ensemble member of a musical, traditionally, is covered by one or two people, picking up the track. They would write an insert saying The Tracks Usually Played by Yankeefan007 Will Be Played By D2 and Kate2, they wouldn't say anything at all. The only people who know about it are those on the tech side.

[D2]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 3:21pm

That is not true, Yankee. When an ensemble member is out of the show, it IS announced in one of the ways I've mentioned:

"At this performance, the roles usually played by So and So will be played by Such and Such."

EVERYBODY is informed, not just the techies. People may not pay attention, but that's another story.

[myManCape]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 3:28pm

^^ Only true if the person out is listed in the playbill under certain roles. If someone listed under "ensemble" or "company" is out and another person also under the same listing is covering their track then it is not announced. But if the person out has 1 or more listed roles then it is announced.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 4:02pm

Correct, myManCape.

An example of it would be at "Wedding Singer". For example, when Cara Cooper would go on as HOLLY, they would announce that and then also say "All roles normally played by Cara Cooper will be played by *enter name here*".

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 5:30pm

Whereas if Tiffany Haas were absent from Wicked, it would not be listed. Hass doesn't have a named role, hence no name for the board. Her track(s) are covered by other ensemble members.

[D2]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 5:40pm

Well live and learn.

Back to topic. Glad you liked it. And I DO agree that it could be cut by 45 minutes without losing anything.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/4/07 at 5:45pm

I'm considering catching "Mary Poppins" when I come to NYC the first week of April. I appreciate everyone's honest criticism of the show. Even with its flaws, it sounds like a show worth seeing.