BWW Reviews: MARY POPPINS at the Paramount Theatre

It's not often that a touring show comes to town that surprises me, especially a Disney one.  So when "Mary Poppins" popped up on the marquee I thought, "Well, this will be cute," but I didn't hold out for more than that.  I mean I love the movie but what more can they do with that?  Who could have guessed that I would be in for a truly magical and exhilarating ride that left me with tears streaming down my face and perma-grin for the ride home?

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers as well as the Disney film, the story follows two unruly children, Jane and Michael Banks (Marissa Smoker and Talon Ackerman) and their parents George and Winifred Banks (Laird Mackintosh and Blythe Wilson).  The kids have gone through several nannies and before they can even place an ad for a new one, Mary Poppins (Steffanie Leigh) magically arrives on the scene.  And before you can say "spit spot", Mary Poppins has taught these children (and their parents as well) lessons for life and happiness through some very spectacular adventures and all with the help of a local Jack of all Trades, Bert (Nicolas Dromard). 

Most of your favorite songs and moments are here from the movie.  It's still a "Jolly Holiday" with Mary.  "A spoonful of sugar" still makes the medicine go down.  And the only word you need to know is still "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".  But beyond the expected they have also added several new moments culled from the original books as well as plenty of new and wonderful songs to set your heart soaring as high as a kite.  Plus they have come up with one of the most stunningly elaborate yet practical sets that I've seen.  Bob Crowley's design is nothing short of magnificent.

OK, so the Disney imagineers got the design of this one right but what of the cast?  Well, the kids are lovely.  I'm always dubious of children on stage but these ones managed to be real and not overly cute even in this fairy tale world.  The parents are spot on.  Mackintosh (who reminds me of a young Terrence Mann) manages more heart and conflict than the movie ever did.  And the same would go for Wilson whose love for her family shines through her duty to her station.  But I also must mention Janet MacEwen as the Bird Woman and Q. Smith as George's Holy terror of a nanny Miss Andrew.  MacEwen was absolutely glorious in her "Feed the Birds" number and had me in inexplicable tears.  Yes, it's one of my favorite moments of the movie but I didn't expect it to affect me this much and I owe a lot of that to her.  And Smith almost steals the show as what can only be described as the Anti-Mary Poppins.  With a thrilling character and powerhouse of a voice, she owns the stage.

But the real stars of the show are Dromard and Leigh and stars they are!  Dromard is charming, adorable, and all around wonderful as the rascal Bert.  And Leigh, well what can I say?  She inhabits Poppins with ever single shred of her being and never wavers.  From the little twinkle in her eye to her incredible voice she gives Julie Andrews a run for her money.  Simply put, Leigh is practically perfect in every way.  I cannot imagine a better pair to take on these iconic roles.

With amazing staging and choreography by Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne, the show never ceases to wow.  The "Step in Time" number was mind blowing especially when they ... oops, don't want to give that away.  Nor do I want to give away the ending when they ... nope, can't say.  What I can say is that the show manages to succeed on every level.  It knows just which buttons to push on its audience and when.  You might say that's a little bit of the usual Disney manipulation but I say, who cares?  If you like the movie or the books, you'll love this show.  If you are a fan of musical theater you'll love this show.  If you're a wide eyed child or a jaded adult you'll love this show.  Basically, you'll just (say it with me now) love this show.  And why not?  It's (for lack of anything more to say) Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

"Mary Poppins" plays at Seattle's Paramount Theatre through May 29^th.  For tickets or information call 877-STG-4TIX (877-784-4849) or visit them online at www.stgpresents.org.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

 

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