Mary Poppins in Chicago Reviews

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 4:53am

Anyone going to tonight's first preview?

I'd love to hear what people think of the new set, and also whether the rumours about Cameron Mackintosh removing Temper Temper are true.

[heo1128]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 5:09am

Andrew Keenan Bolger is in this, right? I adore him! Hopefully they'll have student rush or something. Broadway in Chicago shows usually do, I think. I want to see this show but not enough to pay full price!

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 6:43am

This is one of the few shows that I would be willing to pay full price too, that is, if there is no discount code.



I too am very curious about the house!

[Magica]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 10:38am

Isn't there a mock-up of the touring set in that Mary Poppins book?

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 10:45am

Yes, AKB is in the show. I can't wait to see the tour as it comes through my city in August!

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 3:07pm

Yes, the set model is in the book. It's ok, but it just seems a bit blah to me as compared to the gigantic house in the Broadway production. But still, I bet it's just as effective...
Also, I hope the curtain is not the same as the UK tour. (Just a plain scrim with the rooftops along the bottom with the show logo projected onto it.) I like the No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane one a lot better.
And I will be rather upset if they did indeed remove Temper, Temper. I actually love how creepy that song is...

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 3:12pm

I love how in that song the walls split in 2 and stretch out, reminds me of poltergeist some how, lol.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 3:20pm

Why would they take out Temper Temper?

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 3:49pm

Because they're mean.
But in all seriousness, the reason that they took so long to come to New York, was because they thought it was too scary for the American audiences. I mean, for me, the audience's reactions are priceless

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 3/11/09 at 4:21pm

My understanding is that the North American Tour set is virtually identical to the UK tour set. I haven'gt seen all of it, but I do like the tour's house set. The model doesn't do it justice at all. In fact, while I love the Broadway design, I may prefer the tour set.. more theatrical and less 'oversized'.. I feel the same thing about the Wicked 1st National. I can't wait to see concrete things from the 2nd National. I did note in the behind the scenes video posted here from a Floride news station that the 2nd national is a bit smaller.. The clock face was a dead give away for me.

Can't wait to see!

[TT2]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:44pm

Well we went and saw Poppins this afternoon. The show curtain is a scrim with the roof tops on the tomoorrow and the title across it with the projector. I liked the set; we saw it in London and there is no way they'd be able to tour that massive set. The "comic book" look worked very well. It wasn't distracting at all.

Temper, Temper is history. There is another song in its place which is less scary to the kids but isn't that good. I understand why it was done but Temper, Temper is a better song.

The flying is as it was in the London production so I'd expect it was the same as the Broadway version. Sitting in the Center of the Loge you'll get an excellent view of some of the flying.

Lots and lots of children there today; most seemed to enjoy it so I think it will be in the Palace for while.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:48pm

Does that mean that "Temper Temper" is no longer in the Broadway production?

[dg22894]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:58pm

how was AKB? I am a big AKB fan. Probably the only reason I would see Mary Poppins would be to see him.
He would be a great Bert. Is he a Bert understudy on tour?
Can someone post an understudy list?
Updated On: 3/15/09 at 08:58 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:02pm

Why? Because you think he's cute? That's the only reasoning behind it. It couldn't be for his "talents."

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:03pm

Whoa! No "Temper, Temper"? I loved that song. Does the replacement song still involve the nursery toys?

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:03pm

Oh, man, I love Temper, Temper. I guess that means it will be leaving Broadway, soon, too.

[dg22894]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:12pm

Umm no he is a good performer and I think he has a great singing voice.

[TT2]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 11:39pm

The song still involved the toys and was called "Playing The Game". It was a strange song.... almost like it wasn't done yet. It could easily be cut to make the 1st act a little shorter (the 5 year old in front of me was definately ready for a break).

Andrew Kennan-Bolger was in today and was ok.... however, he looks way too young for the role. It just didn't work for me. I saw he played Leaf in Spelling Bee.... definately could see that. Part of the issue may be that the rest of the cast at least reads much older than he is.

Understudies:
MP: Gail Bennett, Elizabeth Broadhurst
Bert: Clark Johnsen, Dominic Roberts
Mr Banks: Michael Gerhart, Laird Mackintosh
Mrs Banks: Gail Bennett, ELizabeth Broadhurst
Mrs Brill: Emily Harvey, Wendy James
Robertson Ay: Dominic Roberts

Plus a bunch of others for some of the smaller roles.

[truk777]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 11:46pm

I saw the show on Thursday night. I have not seen any other production of the show. I was a bit under-whelmed by the whole experience. Everyone was great in their parts, but I guess I just expected more. Too many ballads in Act I.

The following might be considered **spoilers** so consider yourself warned.


The set. The show curtain was plain, just the logo on a curatin with a projection of blue blobs over it. The house was impressive. I had to go online after the show to see set photos from Broadway to notice any difference. The house unfolds like a Build-A-Bear box to reveal the staircase in the middle with a closet door underneath and a hall behind the stairs. The side panels are painted and not functional for actors. Furniture moves in on tracks to put us in different parts of the house. The nursury is great, faithful to the Broadway version from what I can see.

I thought the lighting design was distracting. The color palatte was confusing. There were times I didn't think it meshed with the overall look of the show. I am also not a fan of using spotlights on every character, every time they are on stage.

Gavin and Ashley were great. Spot on. They were very nice at the stage door as well. Ashley had her dog with her. Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Robertson Ay and Valerie Boyle as Mrs. Brill were exceptional. They are worth the price of admission.

The flying effects were not overly impressive since they did not do a good job of hiding any of the wires. (at least from my seat. Orchestra Row S House right)

I did not know until reading this thread that a song was replaced. The new song, I am assuming, is called "Playing the Game" This is where the toys come to life. I thought it was one of the downers of the show.

My wife and seven year old daughter loved the show. They love the movie too.

Sorry if this was a bit all over the board, I have never written a "review" before on here.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 11:52pm

I'm so upset about "Temper, Temper"! It was such a great song, hopefully if they get enough negative feedback about this new song they'll switch it back.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 12:10am

Yeah, agreed on Temper, Temper. It was really good when I saw it in London and one of the reasons I liked the show was because it was more "dark" persay than the movie

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 12:20am

Count me among the "Temper, Temper" fans- I'm certainly bummed they cut it. Yes, I have seen some kids cry during it, but it brings a bit of darkness to the show that is necessary to have the Banks children change for the better.

Glad to hear that the cast is strong. I may try to see it when I'm next back in Chicago.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 12:30am

I love "Temper, Temper" too! I found it to be more funny than scary when I saw it.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 12:33am

Can anyone verify weather it is out on Broadway as well?

[Magica]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 12:50am

Temper Temper still on B'way.