Mary Poppins Review - 3/26 (Long)

[James885]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 12:43pm

I would have posted this last night, but my train was REALLY late leaving NY and we didn't back to DC Union Station till almost 12 midnight.

Yesterday, I took me and my mom took my 10 year old cousin on her first trip to New York and among other things, we took her to her first Broadway show, Mary Poppins. We managed to get balcony seats in row E, so we were pretty high up. It's a good thing I don't get vertigo easily cause the balcony in the New Amsterdam is very steep. We were on the right side of the balcony, and occupying the seats on the ends, so the small right corner of the stage was obstructed, but most of action isn't staged there anyways so we didn't miss much, although we did miss Mary Poppins' flying entrance in Act 2.

First off - I had never been in the New Amsterdam theatre (never seen Lion King on Broadway, just on tour), so I didn't know what to expect, but the theatre is absolutley gorgeous. It really takes your breath away, which is good because it helps take your mind off the fact that there is positively NO legroom at all in the balcony. Now I'm not really tall or anything, but my legs were really cramped against the back of the next seat. Not the most comfortable theatre in world, but that's just a minor thing.

Ashley Brown was out, so Megan Osterhaus went on as Mary. All the rest of the cast was in, with Alexandra Berro and Matthew Gumley as Jane and Michael Banks, respectivley. There were a few minor audio glitches when Daniel Jenkins' mic seemed to not work during "A Man has dreams". Overall, it was very enjoyable. The original songs by the Sherman Brothers were as much fun as ever (except Feed The Birds, I never got into that one) and the new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe were also very tuneful.

I remember when the show opended there was talk on the boards about the song "Temper, Temper", and whether or not it was too scary for young kids. My couisin wasn't frightened, and neither were most of the kids around us. The song does have an ominous tone to it, as it should, but IMHO, there's nothing that would scare a young child. I did hear that number was toned down from what it was in London which makes me curious as to how the song was staged there.

The show does have a tremendous amount of spectacle, and there are special effects up the wazoo, but I think that (most of) the spectacle was a necessity. To do a show about Mary Poppins you have to have her fly. You have to show her doing the unexpected and magical things that she does, like pulling large items out of her small bag and poofing an evil nanny away. I think one of the things I could have done without was the giant umbrella during "Anything Can Happen". That was definetely overkill, and all it does is clutter up the stage and give the ememble less room to move. My favorite production number was probably "Jolly Holiday".

But despite all the spectacle, there were a few quaint touches like the giant "Supercal.." drop that appears during the scene change after the number, and Bert's projected painting of the word WELCOME at the beginning of Act 2.

Sets and costumes were outstanding. The Banks house set is marvelous. It was pretty cool how the nursery was actually above the stage and the actors had to ride it down to stage level. There were a lot of special effects and large set pices, especially during the big numbers. Technical rehearsals must be a nightmare for this show! It's amazing that the same person who designed the fantasic sets and costumes for Poppins was the same one who did the horrible, awful sets and costumes for Tarzan.

The Cast - Megan Osterhaus was fine as Mary. I don't know how Ashley Brown is, but the role is certainly in good hands if she's ever out of the show. Gavin Lee was PHENOMENAL. The engergy and persona he gives off during the show is infectious. I think it really says something about an actor when you see them dancing onstage and you suddenly have the urge to run up and dance with him. His tap dancing on the proscenium during "Step In Time" was a great.

Two other stand-outs in the cast were Rebecca Lucker, who really brought out the character of Mrs. Banks (I almost wish "Being Mrs. Banks" was a longer song) and Ruth Gottschall as the holy-terror-anti-poppins, Ms. Andrew (Liked "Brimestone and Treacle".

Overall I think the show is in pretty good shape, held together with great leads and supported by a tight and energetic esemble. It is a just little lengthy at 2 hours and 45 min and could probably stand to lose a few minutes. My cousin very much loved it. When Mary made her exit at the end of the show, she passed almost directly in front of us and my cousin (and everyone other kid in the audience it seems) just went beserk. Not a perfect show, but certainly one I'd recommend as a first-time show that will hopefully be a stepping stone to other shows.

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 1:11pm

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. I am glad to hear you and family enjoyed MP and that it's still in great shape!

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:52pm

Thanks for sharing! I agree, the New Amsterdam theatre is beautiful!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:58pm

I'm glad you liked Megan Osterhaus. I saw her in the role back in February, and she was absolutely fantastic.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:00pm

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:03pm

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:08pm

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:29pm

Thanks for the review! I almost forgot about the little touches like the supercal curtain! I really love this show!

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:33pm

Here's a video I took before the show when I saw it. Sorry it's shaky, i didn't want my camera taken away. And I never record shows, so don't get mad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzNKYMlTZXo

[gilliane]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:42pm

Ashley Brown was the worst part of the show for me when I saw it last year, so you're probably better off that she was out. Agreed that Gavin Lee was amazing.

[James885]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:20pm

Yeah, I heard mixed reviews about Ashley Brown. Some said she was amazing, others said she was just mediocre. She was all right when I saw her in Beauty and The Beast, but not the best Belle I've seen.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 6:03pm

Just to fyi people...Ashley has a lengthy vacation coming up, according to Broadway understudies.com. It looks like Catherine Walker and Meghan Osterhaus are splitting the time. So, if you want to catch one of them (or don't want to miss Ashley) check out the site for the dates.

For what it's worth, I loved Ashley. Updated On: 3/27/08 at 06:03 PM

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 6:14pm

Yes, according to broadwayunderstudies:

Megan Osterhaus will be playing the title role in MARY POPPINS from Thursday, May 8th - Saturday, May 10th (mat) and from Saturday, May 17th - Sunday, May 18th, while Catherine Walker will be playing the role from Saturday, May 10th (eve) - Friday, May 16th.