Mary Poppins

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 11:37am

I had an interesting night at Mary Poppins on Friday night. The first act left me really cold. It was all the same; it just didn’t seem to be going anywhere. It was cold and stale, and poor Ashley Brown had no comedic timing (was anyone else disappointed by her entrance?), and I really hope that she was directed that way, but it was like she wasn’t making any choices and was doing everything exactly the same for every line. I thought the Super… dance number was wonderful, and people at my audience thought that Temper Temper was a good addition. So going into the second act I wasn’t too excited, but the second act was like a different show I almost don’t know how to explain it. The action flowed, and the all the numbers were exciting and fresh, Step in Time was so good, and Ruth Gottschall stole the show as Miss Andrew. If they done the first act like the second act it would have been a wonderful music instead of just an entertaining night in the theater.

Act I: C-
Act 2: B+

Wierd right?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 11:46am

I think Brown is conflicted about where to go with her Mary.

The character as intended for the stage version (and as originally created in the novels) is supposed to have a much darker edge in contrast to the more chipper Mary from the film. Brown seems to be wanting to add more warmth and humor to the role while still playing up the more withdrawn aspects too, and the resulting performance comes off as awkward and unbalanced.

I disagree with your statement that she has no comedic ability. I think alot of the little mannerisms she adds in to get extra laughs show the makings of a performer with some strong comedic instincts, but they don't really work within the context of this particular role. I believe it was Ben Brantley who said something along the lines of Brown adding "the ocassional humorous gesture to show she has a sense of humor even when Mary does not," and I think that pretty much hits the nail on the head about what she is trying to do.

My personal problem with her performance was that she let her Mary get far too passionate far too easily. Mary should always be poised and completely confident even when being played in a "nicer" context, and I didn't get that from Brown (which may be due to her lack of experience as an actress,) though I did find her to be enjoyable in the role.

My guess is alot of the warmth she's trying to keep in her performance is a result of direction she's been given. What made Laura Michelle Kelly's performance so brilliant in London for me was just how likeable her Mary was even though she was consistently stolid and downright cold at times, something I think the creative team may have been weary of American audiences responding to in a negative way.

Updated On: 6/10/07 at 11:46 AM

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 4:26pm

"Ruth Gottschall stole the show as Miss Andrew." I totally agree with you on this one! When I saw the show in December, I was blown away by her performance and gave her a standing ovation - embarrassingly the ONLY one who did. Vocally she was simply superb and her execution of the character was flawless.

I adore Ashley Brown, but I can see what you mean about an almost mechanical performance. I would really love to see the show again because I was really just paying attention to her singing and taking in all the amazing set design that I didn't focus that much on her portrayal of Mary. I had heard that she had been passing out a few months ago and stopped doing matinees - a friend of mine knows one of the understudies and told me that she was going on for the matinees for at least two weeks. Maybe she is exhausted once again and needs rest?

Anyway, I did love the show, overall, but I would really like to see it again. I think I will take my kids in the fall and we'll see Mary Poppins and Hairspray - or Lion King. We're seeing the Little Mermaid in December and my husband and I are going up to the city in 2 weeks to see Wicked: Behind the Emerald Curtain.

OK - sorry I hijacked your post!

[alex2155]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 5:23pm

exhausted once again? When was she exhausted before? Well I hope she is better now. I saw a matinée back in April and Ashley was performing. I think she is very talented.