Did anyone attened Laura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle's first nght @ Mary Poppins?

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 11:52pm

Did anyone attend their first show? I'm interested to hear what LMK's portrayal is like since she last played the role four years ago. I'd also like to hear what Christian was like as Bert.
Updated On: 10/13/09 at 11:52 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 1:32am

I very reluctantly went tonight since it was the only Broadway musical playing tonight (I believe) and I was intrigued to see Laura Michelle Kelly. I'm not a fan of Kelly on the cast recording, and I generally think of Christina Borle as a rather bland performer, so I went in with very little expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised by the show. I'd never seen MARY POPPINS before, and I have to say that it's not a bad show at all. It's not great either, perhaps not even a good show, but I can't say I didn't have fun watching it, especially during the first act. The show definitely suffers during the second act since the plot really could just be resolved in 10 minutes that they turn into another hour (especially since the show seems like it's about to end at three different points).
I have to say Laura Michelle Kelly was pretty brilliant as Mary Poppins. I didn't see her in London so can't really compare, but what I saw tonight was a fantastic star turn. Kelly's Mary Poppins is not particularly sweet, yet she is so incredibly likable and simply commanding. There's just something about her, her confidence, her style, her looks, and God that voice, that just makes you understand why this woman is so special and magical. The new songs aren't all that great, but Kelly's voice and acting make each song work perfectly. There is not a moment you aren't rooting for her, I particularly loved her scene with Mrs.Andrews (props to a great Rutt Gottschal who's a really fun villain, and has power vocals). This is a star turn not to be missed.
Christian Borle was good. I don't think of him as having much star quality, but I think that worked fine for the role. He's no Gavin Creel (whom I would have loved to see in the role), but he is able to sell the part quite well, and his dancing throughout is terrific (it didn't show it was his first time going on at all). More importantly, he has a lot of chemistry with Kelly which works out quite nicely. His accent is all over the place though. And I know it's a trick and whatnot, but I thought the dancing during "Step in Time" was really neat, and Borle seemed really excited when he was dancing upside down.
The rest of the cast is good, I thought Rebecca Luker did a good job in the role of a doormat, she managed to add some dignity to a very poorly written character.
The new song "Playing the Game" just comes off as creepy (I'm not sure if they were going for dark, whimsical, or what). And God those kids are annoying, especially the sister (blanking out on her name); I don't mean the actors, just the way they are written they come off as incredibly unlikable.
Overall, I'm glad I went even if I was very much ready for the show to end throughout most of the second act. I think Kelly's performance is worth taking a trip to the New Amsterdam.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 1:39am

I saw her in London and I thought she was the anti-Mary Poppins, and I mean that as a good thing.

You don't expect Mary to be as sharp and firm as she portrays her. She's the kind of nanny that is nice when needed, but you don't want to mess with her.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 2:44am

I did. I bought my ticket as soon as I learned Laura Michelle Kelly was coming to Broadway because I'd hoped she would open the show here. (Not that I didn't like Ashley Brown; I thought she was phenomenal. I thought Scarlett Strallen was good too).

But Kelly's Mary is definitely much more serious than Brown's, and she doesn't play the laughs that Brown did, e.g., the funky way Mary ascends the stairs of the Banks home was eschewed by Kelly completely. Kelly's line readings were delivered drily and devoid of Brown's cutesiness. Kelly's voice was in good form and her high C in BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE was fantastic. It was such a treat to hear finally the recorded Mary singing live onstage.

Not loving Christian Borle as the new Bert. Adam Fiorentino was better and Gavin Lee the best of the three. Perhaps Borle needs to settle in some more because his dancing was a little bit off, and wasn't as dynamic as his predecessors.

Surprisingly milking all her scenes for what they're worth was Jenny Galloway. Her extremely sardonic portrayal of Mrs. Brill had me cracking up the entire evening.

I was completely surprised that TEMPER, TEMPER had been replaced with a new song called PLAYING THE GAME, which featured Mary and the Toys. It was an OK melody and had some nice spots for Kelly's voice to shine, but lacked the energy of TEMPER, TEMPER and changed the dynamic of the scenes leading to the ending of Act 1 completely. I enjoyed getting the Banks kids scared out of their minds. I asked the ushers and kiosk folks and was told tonight was the first night that TEMPER, TEMPER was out and PLAYING THE GAME was in. Jury's out on the wisdom of replacing this song. Anyone know why the change?

I highly recommend checking out MARY POPPINS now that Kelly is in the role.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 2:47am

Temper, Temper was deemed too scary and/or graphic for young Broadway audiences. Playing The Game was incorporated in the national tour and, consequently, Broadway.

A shame.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 2:52am

Really? That blows because I'm thinking more that the change is not necessary. TEMPER, TEMPER was already toned down from the London version by the time MARY POPPINS opened in New York (I think I read somewhere there was a firing squad at the Banks children in the London version).

Well, Laura's not Disneyfying her performance at least.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 5:27am

I've never thought Mary Poppins (in any carnation) was suppose to be sweet or lovable. In fact, she was suppose to be in stark contrast to the overly permissive mother. MP was to prove that children want and need limits and that they will love you for them. (Simple Parenting 101)

Mind you, I haven't seen it since early 2007 -- so the memory of the details are pretty shady.

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 9:49am

I was there, too, and can attest that Kelly is pretty sensational. She has just got 'it.' You can't take your eyes off her when she's onstage - which is pretty much always - and she is commanding, sweet, affectionate, firm, dry, and a whole other litany of adjectives, all at once. Her high note in Brimstone and Treacle (high C, yes?) was fantastic and her voice is like cream; everything sounds and looks completely effortless. And her acting is so much more subtle than her B'way predecessors (both of whom I've seen), I found her to be completely believable both as a human being and as this magical person. She even had tears in her eyes during her last scene with Michael. I can definitely see why she won the Olivier for this, and I hope to see her in other shows soon (wish I could've seen her Eliza!)

Playing the Game sucks, but that's been established. I'm surprised that it hasn't been mentioned that during Temper, Temper, Mary Poppins wasn't onstage. If I was a kid watching that number, that would've been one of the most frightening things. The fact that these toys seem to have gone buckwild in her ABSENCE was creepy. I'm sure the actresses playing Poppins (has it just been Kelly, Strallen and Brown?) appreciated Temper, Temper because it was a break, but to have Mary onstage in the new number brings a sense of control to the chaos. She's teaching them a lesson, not trying to kill them, and it comes across better. Still, PTG isn't a very good song. Bummer.

Borle was solid for a first night (definitely not phoning it in yet) and he and Kelly had some nice moments, including little glances and head nods and the like that were fun to see from the first few rows. They seem to genuinely like each other, these two. His dancing could get better (I miss watching Gavin Lee do the proscenium tap!) and he dropped his broom during Step in Time, but he is a winning and talented Bert. I would certainly say Lee was better, and I only wish I'd gotten to see Kelly and Lee together. Maybe they could bring in Gavin to close the show, if that's coming up?

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 11:29am

I'd LOVE to see Gavin Lee and Laura reunited at The New Amsterdam!

Yep, that's a high C in BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE, and I did know that Mary was absent during TEMPER, TEMPER. Now, the kids are the ones "absent" as they're basically sleeping and then woken up during PLAYING THE GAME.

This new number just changed the pacing of the ending of Act 1. Pretty jarring if you've seen the show before and you come back for a return visit, as I did.

[jess20882]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 11:46am

I really loved LMK as Mary. Her voice is gorgeous, she herself is beautiful, and she brings a calm-yet-spunky attitude to Mary. I was surprised by how much I liked Christian as Bert. Yes, it'll take a short time for him to get completely into the role, but I think he is off to a wonderful start. He had some mannerisms and facial expressions that bring a really great quirkiness to Bert that I haven't seen yet...

But seriously...Playing The Game? Really? As the woman sitting next to me said last night, 'I want those four minutes of my life back...'

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 12:08pm

So far on Broadway it has just been LMK, Scarlett Strallen, and Ashley Brown playing Mary, yes. Ashley Brown was with the show for about 2 years if I remember correctly, as was Gavin Lee.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 12:54pm

I'm glad all of you loved Laura! I saw her 3 times in the original London run and she is nothing but amazing. I have seen Scarlett and Lisa in the role in London/UK Tour but Laura is definitely THE DEFINITE Mary Poppins! As someone posted before... she's just got that 'it' factor! her protrayal was spot-on! And no one can deny her voice is simply heavenly!

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 1:06pm

Here are photos from their first night. Laura Bell Bundy was there to watch her boyfriend.

http://www.broadway.com/photos/galleries/new-mary-poppins-stars-bow-broadway-most-delightful-way/mary-poppins-new-cast-2009-laura-bell-bundy-christian-borle

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 1:55pm

^ Well, obviously. I'd be a little surprised if she wasn't there.

But I'm so glad Christian did well! Hopefully, by the time I get to New York, he'll still be there, lol.

I'm glad everyone had a great time!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 2:14pm

Jeff Binder (Mr. Banks) looks adorable! Just looked at the pictures.

I'd love to see LMK, I adore her solo ablum "The Storm Inside." It's actually my favorite performer solo album I own. No joke.

And to add to the Gavin CREEL discussion as Bert. He was stunning and completely embodied the role from the toes up. Never more had I wanted a romance between Mary and Bert: Gavin became a bit like the best boyhood friend that you grow up to be lovers with. It may sound odd for the show, but it worked so well.

[Princeton2]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 3:48pm

Each to their own, but of the poppins ive seen id have:

1 - Scarlett Strallen
2 - Caroline Sheen
3 - LMK
4 - Poppy Tierney
5 - Ashley Brown

Scarlett for me was just sublime

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 7:24pm

Am I missing something? When did Gavin Creel appear in MARY POPPINS?

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 7:28pm

He was in the London production for two years.


Updated On: 10/13/09 at 07:28 PM

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 11:08pm

Too many Gavins!!! LOL!

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 2:25am

I didn't know Laura Bell Bundy and Christian Borle were still dating.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 4:10pm

wow... i didn't know Laura Bell is dating Christian Borle! I thought Christian is engaged to Sutton Foster.... i'm so outdated with these stuff! lol

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 6:44pm

They married in Sept. '06 and divorced in Dec. '07.

Updated On: 10/14/09 at 06:44 PM