#1
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! :)
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! :)
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
Updated On: 7/29/07 at 10:07 AM
