#1
Posted: 7/11/07 at 9:48pm
For starters I have never even seen a clip from the original Julie Andrews film, my visit to Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam was my first introduction to the character. In one word I found the show to be: Charming. Granted the plot, score and characters of the show are not groundbreaking in anyway but I enjoyed myself and found myself leaving the New Amsterdam with a smile and humming “Practically Perfect”.
Having never seen Julie Andrews in the role, Ashley Brown was my first Mary. I loved her in the role and only wish she could fly in when I need help. That being said I felt at times though that her character could have been stronger and exerted more of Mary’s personal strength. A perfect example of when Mary’s strength really showed was in her expulsion on Ms. Andrews in Act II. What I think endures Brown’s Mary to the audience though is her strong cheerleader in Gavin Lee who plays Bert.
Granted I wasn’t exactly wowed by his performance, I did think that he complimented Brown greatly and the two do have a great chemistry together. This really shows in Jolly Holiday and Let’s Go Fly A Kite. Rebecca Luker was great in the show; my only thought is that she is being wasted in such a small role. She did win me over as the mother. On the contrary Daniel Jenkins was good in the role of George Banks, though I thought him forgettable. Nothing from his performance really stood out.
Other than that, only one role really annoyed me and that was Janelle Ann Robinson as Mrs. Corry. Now I don’t know if the character was written like this but her accent really got on my nerves. Instead of seeming like a friend to Mary, she reminded me of that old TV psychic with a Jamaican accent that got arrested for fraud. I know this sounds politically incorrect and for that I make no apologies, to me she failed to sell her character as a woman of knowledge and mystery. Maybe someone can expand on this but for now nothing solid.
Overall I enjoyed this show and SPOLIER ALERT……
At the end when Michael hugs Mary I’ll admit, my eyes were watering. One final mention is the set, which blew me away. I felt that not only was it perfectly designed but it added to the story and the magic of the show. For that the designers deserve a round of applause.
Again if you want a fun night at the theatre go and see this show. It won’t change your world but you will leave with a smile.
Seat: Box 5
Grade: A
Quick Note: Buy the box seats, they are thirty dollars. I felt for the price you could not go wrong!
Having never seen Julie Andrews in the role, Ashley Brown was my first Mary. I loved her in the role and only wish she could fly in when I need help. That being said I felt at times though that her character could have been stronger and exerted more of Mary’s personal strength. A perfect example of when Mary’s strength really showed was in her expulsion on Ms. Andrews in Act II. What I think endures Brown’s Mary to the audience though is her strong cheerleader in Gavin Lee who plays Bert.
Granted I wasn’t exactly wowed by his performance, I did think that he complimented Brown greatly and the two do have a great chemistry together. This really shows in Jolly Holiday and Let’s Go Fly A Kite. Rebecca Luker was great in the show; my only thought is that she is being wasted in such a small role. She did win me over as the mother. On the contrary Daniel Jenkins was good in the role of George Banks, though I thought him forgettable. Nothing from his performance really stood out.
Other than that, only one role really annoyed me and that was Janelle Ann Robinson as Mrs. Corry. Now I don’t know if the character was written like this but her accent really got on my nerves. Instead of seeming like a friend to Mary, she reminded me of that old TV psychic with a Jamaican accent that got arrested for fraud. I know this sounds politically incorrect and for that I make no apologies, to me she failed to sell her character as a woman of knowledge and mystery. Maybe someone can expand on this but for now nothing solid.
Overall I enjoyed this show and SPOLIER ALERT……
At the end when Michael hugs Mary I’ll admit, my eyes were watering. One final mention is the set, which blew me away. I felt that not only was it perfectly designed but it added to the story and the magic of the show. For that the designers deserve a round of applause.
Again if you want a fun night at the theatre go and see this show. It won’t change your world but you will leave with a smile.
Seat: Box 5
Grade: A
Quick Note: Buy the box seats, they are thirty dollars. I felt for the price you could not go wrong!
