Review of Mary Poppins Touring Production

Picture yourself looking into a pop-up book with a house that opens out and a rooftop that unfolds. Inside, precarious children wish for someone to raise them with all their parents’ missing ingredients. Befuddled adults loosely keep order until Mary Poppins arrives. At 17 Cherry Tree Lane the most peculiar goings-on are never explained.

Taken from Disney’s classic 1964 movie and P.L. Travers’ books from the 1930’s, this remixed version of Mary Poppins is currently performing through March 20, 2011 at the Boston Opera House in Massachusetts. The national touring company will next move on to Philadelphia, PA followed by a stop in Columbus, OH. The cast features Steffanie Leigh (first touring production) as Mary Poppins and Nicolas Dromard as Bert reprising his Broadway role. The ensemble of 38 International triple threats puts on a 2 ½ hour performance that has people toe-tapping and finger-snapping in their seats.

Familiar songs from the movie, “Feed the Birds,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” stay true to their original score while “Jolly Holiday” along with others are adapted to the new musical. Taking cue from the book series, “Supercalifragillisticexpialidocious” takes place in Mrs. Corry’s conversation shop. A major song and dance number by roughly half the cast in rich Agfachrome-like colors, the steps are modern and sharp, a bit out of place for the Disney rendition of the title character. Yet, the tap dance version of “Step in Time” exceeds the film version and fits Bert perfectly. The show-stopping to-do is in and of itself worth the price of admission.

Seven new tunes written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe fit right in with the original numbers by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. “Playing the Game” performed by Mary Poppins is a grand example of how she is a turn away from the movie version most have etched in their minds. Toys come to life annoyed and hurt by Jane and Michael Banks. Poppins feels the toys’ pain and plans on teaching the children a lesson.

Amazing, tremendous notes come from Q. Smith as Miss Andrew, the much loathed former nanny of Mr. Banks in “Brimstone and Treacle.” Her sing-off with Steffanie Leigh’s Mary Poppins is cruelly fun and rest assure, Leigh can hold her own.

For those who would like to see Mary Poppins on the Broadway stage, AllEars.Net is celebrating its 15th anniversary on June 18, 2011 with discounted orchestra seats. Tickets are limited.

Merchandise available at both touring shows and in New York include T-shirts, dolls, pins, mugs, umbrellas, ornaments, and the soundtrack.

Mary Poppins cast photos ©Disney/CML. Photos by Joan Marcus.

Media tickets provided by Broadway Across America-Boston.

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