Mary Poppins Review 4/14/07

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 6:53pm

Last night, I made a worthwhile return trip to Mary Poppins! I first saw the show during previews (Nov 11), and I can say with definity that this show is even better than the rave I gave it back in November!

Some minor improvments I've noticed: the lighting is more focused and effective. The cables on the nursery, as a result of the improved lighting, are no longer noticeable. The scene changes were faster, and the cast is even more incredible.

Apparantly though it was UNDERSTUDY NIGHT! This made me very happy!

Kristin Carbone was on for Winifred Banks. She is a marvel, a beauty, and an incredible actress. Her Winifred is someone we can all identify with. She embodies this woman and you root for her from the beginning. Carbone's development with the character throughout the evening is fantastic to watch. In the beginning, Winifred is very insecure, and in Carbone's hands, the character melts this shell. Reflecting, you find her change dramatically by the end...for the better.

Matt Loehr was Bert. He too was great. Like Carbone, I found him to be so good in the role it was almost unbelievable that he was an understudy. He had great energy and was fun to watch.

There were four other understudies that night...some filling in for more than one track.

I had Katherine Doherty as Jane and Henry Hodges as Michael. These two together are perfect. Because they are roughly the same height, they almost seem like twins, and it gives them a fantastic dynamic.

Ashley Brown was fun again, but I still have some issues with her accent. I think she shines better in Act II than I, by the way.

As I said last time, SEE IT SEE IT SEE IT! We sat in Box 11...almost no obstruction except the very far back Stage Right Corner. $30 seats for a 99.5% view! I can't recommend these seats enough!

And pray you get Carbone or Loehr if Luker or Lee are sick...they are marvels!

Updated On: 9/13/09 at 06:53 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:01pm

I don't know if I'd pray for them to get sick, but I know what you mean.

Good to hear that the show is in such good shape. It's a very enjoyable show, no matter who is in it.

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:15pm

katherine is leaving early?

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 8:46pm

Oh Yankee! I said IF they get sick pray fir Carbone or Loehr because they're awesome understudies that I think everyone should see...granted, I haven't seen the others.

Katherine was supposed to leave in June, but she's leaving early to go home.

For the record, I found out from the company that Delaney Moro left because she outgrew the role.

Sorry for the stupid misspellings in the first post...I'm going to fix them now.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 9:44pm

I saw Delaney in previews. She must have had a HUGE growth spurt to outgrow the role so quickly.

Henry Hodges is still hanging onto his height and banking on it, well actually Michael Banksing. (sorry, I couldn't resist.)

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 9:50pm

But have they improved Mary's story line?
It is non existence.
Glad you liked it, but it is to me just a bunch of unconnected production numbers.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 7:43pm

Curtainpull...

The show felt more focused on the story than it did earlier in the run...there was a better balance between the actors and the huge scenery, so everything, to me, felt more focused and in sync....to sum it up...it wasn't as swallowed this time 'round.