Mary Poppins Preview

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:10pm

Just got back from attending the DISNEY Mary Poppins Preview.

I saw the show in London, so, there were NO realy new surprises for me but...

They played an interesting montage video about P.L. Travers (the author of the original Mary Poppins books)

And Richard M. Sherman was there, who wrote the songs from the original Disney film, and he played bits from most of the tunes from the show (which was a true treat and absolute pleasure).

Then the two gentleman who wrote the new songs for the Broadway production came out and they played some of the new songs they wrote, inlcuding "Practically Perfect," and "Anything Can Happen."

Then the finale was the "premiere" of the Mary Poppins Orchestral Suite from the Broadway production, which was played by a 25 piece orchestra behind the scrim that we didn't know was there, which was a great and wonderful finale.

If anything, this preview re-inforced how big of a hit this show is going to be.
Updated On: 2/28/06 at 07:10 PM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:15pm

Also, the identity of who will be playing Poppins on Broadway was not officially revealed at the preview, and I heard from 3 different people 3 different actresses, so, we shall see about that...

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:18pm

That's sound great...I'm glad that it excited you about the show. I am really hoping that this one will be a good one! I had a friend that saw it in London and wasn't completely sold. He thought they would have to make some changes for American audiences and while he LOVED the actors who played Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Brill and most of all Bert, he wasn't terribly fond of LMK as Mary Poppins. That must have been exciting to hear the music played by a 25 piece orchestra...let's hope they keep to a similar size on Broadway. I sure do miss that full orchestral sound. Synthesizers just don't cut if for me for the more "traditionally" fashioned shows.
Updated On: 2/28/06 at 07:18 PM

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:21pm

What three actresses did you hear, just out of curiosity? (Unless you can't/don't want to say)

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:22pm

it truly was astounding, and the music (old songs and new) melded together beautifully.

I agree, there are slight tweaks that need to be done for Broadway, one of them I hope is adding "Sister Suffragette" back into the score, but that's just me.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:24pm

Oh, from the sound of your title, I assumed you meant you attended a preview performance of the musical. Anyways, I saw a BWW video clip of Mary Poppins in London and - ah! I forgot her name! - sounds amazing as Mary Poppins!

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 10:10pm

Laura Michelle Kelly
She was good..sure did a tough Mary Poppins,
not exactly a spoonful of sugar, he he

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:30am

I think we need to know who is going to play Mary...right now! I can't handle waiting. I HATE the suspense!

[jasonf]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 7:38am

I was there too -- the orchestral suite was REALLY thrilling!

I was excited just to be sitting five rows away from Richard Sherman and Cameron Macintosh - that alone made it worth going! I loved the new songs, and Practically Perfect is such a catchy tune - I'm generally not very good at picking up new songs quickly, but as soon as I heard it in the orchestral suite after just hearing them play it, I was singing along already.

Plus, the showed a small clip of Sherri Bobbins, so how bad could it be?

They gave out umbrellas as a gift at the end with the parrot head on the bottom -- I'm going to carry it around school all day today and make my students ask me what it is.

[IMissNYC]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 9:05am

Ooh! I can't wait for this show to come to Broadway! I am going to take my daughter. Do you think a 4 yr old will enjoy it?

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 9:08am

Yes...Thesbjean...you can't tease us like this...LOL Of course I realize that casting is only a bunch of rumors and speculation at this point, but it is always fun to throw names around.

I'm wondering if a four year old would be too young...at least if they change nothing from the London version. What do you think Thesbjean or anyone else for that matter?

[LouW95]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 9:33am

I think we can all finally agree Disney has been a blessed addition to Broadway. Look at the number of jobs they have created for our community. Many people attacked Disney when Beauty and the Beast was first announced.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 9:43am

For the record, this kind of performance is called a Group Sales Presentation rather than a Preview.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 9:54am

My vote to play Mary Poppins....Laura Benanti...I would LOVE to hear her soprano wrapped aound those incredible Sherman songs!

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 10:23am

If anyone is willing to sell their umbrella I would buy it for any price at all! I am the biggest Mary Poppins fan ever!
Also, Laura Michell Kelly was amazing as Mary Poppins. I saw her twice while I was in london and she was pratically perfect!

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 10:23 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 10:27am

I had a totally different take. I loved the presentation, especially seeing the composers live.

But, totally dissapointed in the video of the show from London. As I watched some of my favorite all times songs/scenes- I was dissapointed and kept thinking of Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang. I don't expect the movie to be copied, but I was SO NOT IMPRESSED with how they translated Toot, Sweet and The Old Bamboo to the stage. Average choreography on an almost bare stage. The clips of Step in Time and the Jolly Holiday looked just like that.

Here's hoping it it better.

[landryjames]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 10:41am

I too was at the "Group Sales Presentation" yesterday, and thought that it was excellentlly executed. Disney really does know how to do it right even with a special preview as this was. Mr. Sherman was a thrill to see present.

I too don't know how I feel yet on the footage I saw from the London production.

One question (which may have been discussed), but why are they taking out the Lion King (they made it sound as if it was going to be a massive undertaking)? Why not just put Mary Poppins in the Minskoff Theater and leave Lion King where it is?

[jasonf]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:01am

landryjames - we were wondering the same thing. We figured maybe it has to do with location - Lion King is established already and people are going no matter what. This theater is more prominently located and will serve as good advertising for the show. I also think this theater is bigger than the Minskoff from stage to rafters (yes?) so the flying effect will be even cooler here.

I wasn't as impressed with the video of the London production either - the girl who played Jane was WAY too big, and I agree some of the staging looked kind of bare. I'm hoping they change that for the Broadway production as well. I DID love the changes the new composers made to the score though -- that will definitely be a strength of this new production.

And I'm not selling my umbrella for any money - sorry. :)

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:13am

Folks, the reason Lion King is moving is because first, sales are slowing down and it makes more sense to be in a smaller theater, and second, Mary Poppins is their new huge show, so it belongs in their showcase theater. I can also assure you the footage shown yesterday from London was barely a taste of what you'll be getting here. They just wanted to give a taste, even if it was small and not terribly appealing. Don't be fooled -- this is NOT Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[kec]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:29am

"Ooh! I can't wait for this show to come to Broadway! I am going to take my daughter. Do you think a 4 yr old will enjoy it?"

Assuming that they don't make any major changes to the show (they better not!!!), it's possible your 4-year old won't be allowed to attend. The London production had an age limit -- I think it was no child under 7 -- due to a couple of scenes in the show that might scare a younger child -- i.e. toys coming to life and putting the Banks children on trial for abusing their toys.

Vinnie, do you know if there will be any major changes from the London production?

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 11:29 AM

[Jilani]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:55am

The London production had an age limit -- I think it was no child under 7 -- due to a couple of scenes in the show that might scare a younger child

That isn't quite right - the age limit was 3 and up (no children under 3 allowed in the theatre), but the show's website recommends the show for ages 7 and up:

http://82.112.125.43/parental/index.htm

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:56am

kec, the show is being considerably lightened for NYC.

[BrianWilsonFan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:01pm

I took a four and six year old to the pre London run at Bristol and there was no problem with admittance and they loved the show!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:11pm

Folks, the reason Lion King is moving is because first, sales are slowing down and it makes more sense to be in a smaller theater,

If they were moving to the Helen Hayes or something, you might have more of a point. But for 110 seats? Come on.

And I just want to address the erroneous comment from kec. The show in London was recommended for children of age 7 upwards. Children of under 3 were unable to be admitted due to a licencing restriction on the Prince Edward Theatre.

[kec]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:16pm

My apologies... I did remember reading the advisory on the MP website after I saw it just now. Someone I knew in London who wanted to see it with her kids said she didn't go because they were under 7, so that it probably what I remembered most.

In any case, if, as Vinnie says, the show will be considerably lightened for Broadway, it's a moot point.