Mary Poppins review: 11/11 8:00 p.m.

[TenThousandThings]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:10pm

Well, in a word . . . boo. Overall, an emotionally disconnected disappointment. I was sitting in the fourth row center orchestra, which is usually thrilling, but the longer the show went on, the more my heart sank at what I was seeing up-close. Richard Eyre has directed talented actors to check their authenticity at the door and deliver grotesque charicatures.

Here's the good: as many other people have posted, the set was amazing. The nursery got applause when it first came in. And the costumes were just incredible -- especially for Supercalifragilistic.

In my opinion, the show belongs to Rebecca Luker. She brings warmth, humor and soul to Winifred Banks. The few emotionally real moments came from her -- something that hasn't been seen from her in the past (e.g. Music Man). And her voice, even though it sounded a bit raspy, was simply glorious. The "Anything Can Happen" theme is introduced nicely by Ashley Brown -- and then you hear Rebecca Luker sing it, and you just melt because it's so gorgeous.

Jane Carr brought a natural humor to Mrs. Brill that was wonderful -- I just wanted more of it!

Cass Morgan was fine, although if I were 8 years old, she'd scare the crap out of me, too.

Gavin Lee brought an ease and warmth to Bert that was lovely, but he really seemed to be phoning in most of his performance.

The ensemble was brimming over with youthful energy and executed the choreography well (although I didn't really like most of the choreo). A couple actors stood out for really having crafted their characters well: Sean McCourt (as Von Hussler, an elderly banker who keeps his hand over his face, and the jack-in-the-box in "Temper, Temper") and Tyler Maynard (who is HYSTERICAL as Valentine).

The not-so-good: Ashley Brown is horribly, HORRIBLY miscast in this show. She has a beautiful voice but can't sing "legit" material -- there is no musicianship, no legato. She doesn't have a handle on who Mary Poppins is at all. She parrots her lines lightning-fast with a cheap imitation of a British accent and a huge perma-grin. She comes off having the same emotional maturity as the Banks children. Where is the grounded, wise, all-seeing, fun-loving nanny that we all know Mary is? Rebecca Luker was so solid on stage that she had 1000 times more "Mary" energy than Ashley did. I think Ashley is just way too young and inexperienced to be carrying a show like this.

Daniel Jenkins is all over the place. He seemed more like an actor scared to death of the Broadway stage than the easily-flustered and anal character of Mr. Banks. There was really no reason why Mrs. Banks should have felt any warmth or love for him at all -- and poor Rebecca Luker was left to manufacture the relationship all on her own.

The Banks children (Katherine Leigh Dougherty and Matthew Gumley) just shouted all their lines for the entire show and never made eye contact with the other actor they were speaking with. I wanted to shoot them 30 seconds into Act I and it never got any better.

Everything moved SO fast -- especially at the beginning of Act I -- that the story felt really rushed. There wasn't time for the actors to forge emotional connections with each other or the audience. Maybe I'm mistaken for expecting to walk out of Mary Poppins feeling something -- or even having learned something -- but this show felt to me like a spectacle with no foundation. Like icing with no cake underneath.

I know that the "regular Joes" in the audience probably loved it, and because of that, this show will run for a very long time. I just wish that it deserved to.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:16pm

We are all "regular joes."

That being said, great review. Sorry you didn't like it.

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:20pm

I completely disagree with your review. And am very offended by your 'regular Joes' comment - what makes you so special or gives you a better appreciation for theatre than anyone else? Musical theatre is universal - it doesn't matter who you are...everyone has an appreciation and love for it on some level.

I thought Mary Poppins was wonderful - Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee were fantastic, the sets and costumes beautiful, and I am sure my thoughts are not just my own, judging by the smiles on the faces of everyone, even the 'regular Joes', sitting around me.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:23pm

This "regular joe" LOVED it!

[TenThousandThings]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:40pm

I'm sorry if everybody finds the term "regular Joe" offensive. It certainly wasn't intended to be. I'm referring to those people who don't consider themselves to be more than occasional theatregoers, who maybe took small children, etc. Their opinion is just as valid as mine, and in the producers' eyes, even moreso, because they'll buy repeat tickets.

[zerodanny]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:08pm

I totally agree with jess!!

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:11pm

thanks
i'd love to get your thoughts on the show - i'm assuming you've seen it already...?

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:19pm

Being a regular hick from georgia, I've not seen to many plays or nothing other than one time i went an saw disney on ice at the centreplex but i was lucky enought to go to new york one time and see mary poppins and i just thought it was the bestest thing i ever saw onstage it was so good.

~ruguler joe

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:24pm

I agree with your statement about "regular joes" tenthousdandthings. I personally know alot of people who thought "Mamma Mia" was the best show ever and haven't seen anything else. To the standard tourist, Mary Poppins looks great and I would recommend it to anyone but to a careful observer, you can see many glitches. Its just a fact people! No need to take offense to that.

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:29pm

When I saw the show, I felt as though I was a "regular joe" sitting next to one of the investors who did nothing but rave on how good the show is.
Hopefully you were entertained with the show though, which is what most shows set out to do.

[deck925]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:31pm

I thought the show was great, and I do agree the sets were breathtaking. Anyone know if the show will be re-recorded or will we only have the OLC?

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 11:05pm

that's the million dollar question.

[zerodanny]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:53am

I asked that question aswell and was told that there will not be a MARY POPPINS OBC recording, I really hope whoever told me that was wrong as I would love to hear all the songs by new actors!! especially Ashley! I grew up watching MARY POPPINS the Disney movie, and I love Dame Julie's Mary, but since seeing the breath taking performance of Laura Michelle Kelly(the one true Mary appart form Dame Julie) and the new songs mixed with the re-worded old songs and the fabulous costumes, the amazing coreography like SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS..just everything about the show, the feel of the show, the sets and also the darker side to MP I really think the show is absolute bliss! Kids love it and adults love it even more! It is a FABULOUS show and I love it!!!!!

Seen it 4 times now and just going again next week as there was a major cast change in London...Can't wait!!

Updated On: 11/13/06 at 03:53 AM

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 5:47am

TenThousandThings - I think your comments on Ashley's performance are a bit strange. I haven't seen her play the role, but in your review you asked "Where is the grounded, wise, all-seeing, fun-loving nanny that we all know Mary is?" We don't all know that Mary is those things - Mary Poppins is a mystery to everyone... Have you read the books? We don't know if we're supposed to like Mary or not, she has so many levels to her character, and is not just the sugary fluff that Julie Andrews was in the film - don't get me wrong, I loved Dame Andrews in the film, but she wasn't the Mary Poppins that Pamela Travers created. I suspect that Ashley's "perma-grin" as you beautifully put it is there to hide levels of the character that come out throughout the show. I've seen it 18 times in London with 4 different actresses - I know that many of Mary's traits are hidden for a long time behind her 'perfect nanny' facade.

I wish Ashley the very best of luck - she has a stunning voice, and I think she's got what it takes to make Mary incredibly believable, and true to the original novels.

Just my two cents.

Mary P x

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 6:02am

That is well put "Practically Perfect." And I totally agree with you.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 9:08am

TenThousandThings---I'm glad at least someone else saw this show in the same disappointing light that I did.

I felt your comments on Ashley and Rebecca were dead on.

I posted a review of it here, and I think you'll be amazed at how similarly we feel...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=916640

[EganFan2]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:24pm

Grinning incessantly wasn't even part of the movie Mary Poppins' character, which has been criticized for not being true to the original. That would get on my nerves.

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 6:31pm

I love the way Ashley plays Mary Poppins. The only thing that bothers me about her is the pained look she has on her face during the final flying sequence. Yeah I know it's a little uncomfortable with the hooks and harnesses and everything, but try to hide it a little.
I sorta like that she smiles throughout the majority of her scenes...it's like she's hiding something we don't know about. It almost makes her more creepy and/or mysterious, more like the original book character.
Ashley's wonderful So is the show as a whole...I hope there are people reading this who agree with me!

[zerodanny]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 12:31am

I totally agree jess!! : )

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 12:54am

I agree with you as well jess. Most people do not give a performer time to grow into their new role and already have them doomed to fail. And also they are still in previews so changes are going to be made and the actors are, I am sure, still getting used to their new roles.

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 1:29am

As a theatre major, though I am no great critic or credited by anyone, I loved the show. When someone has more fun pulling a show a part, rather then enjoying the performance that they payed 100 bux for, then I think the problem lies more within the person, then within the show.

I hope this thread doesnt stop anyone from seeing this fabulous show.

[zerodanny]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 9:25am

Well said Anythingcanhappen!!!I totally agree with you!

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 1:58pm

thank you zerodanny.

And to those who don't like the look on Ashley's face while she flies over the house - maybe she feels a true sense of dread or sadness when she goes out over an audience. Yes, she could be scared, but at the same time she could be truly sad that another performance is over.
When/If I ever make it to Broadway, and I get to do what I want everynight for the rest of my life, I plan on making each performance special. If I don't relish my nightly performance like its the magical first or last time, something would be wrong... Personally, as a performer, I wonder what the audience thinks, and I treat every performance as my first/last (trying to make it better every time)
And not only that, but as a show they don't know how long they will end up running (I literally just knocked on wood, because they need to run for forever) so she could the thinking of that as well. I am sure part of it could be *hot d*mn, this harness hurts* but there could definitely be more than one factor at hand.

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 2:07pm

this all sounds like the grossly over-produced glitz which WAS "CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG". i sat there utterly aghast during CHITTY.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 3:48pm

I think it's completely different. I was so not a fan of "Chitty" from what I saw and heard. I never saw it live, but it lacked something for me on screen and in performances I saw on TV. And I adore MP.