National Touring Production of "Mary Poppins" (5/23/11 + 5/27/11)
Let’s just say the first time I saw it (5/23), I wasn’t impressed. The only good thing about those seats was that I had an aisle seat, and Mary Poppins flew over us. I felt so out of place when I saw it with my cousin and two of her friends (one I hardly knew, and one I had never laid eyes on before, or had seen before… I couldn’t enjoy it. It was like “Three’s company. Four is a crowd.”
I had a much better time when I went with my dad on 5/27. At first, our seats were uncomfortable. My dad is a very large man, and the seats are so f-ing small. My legs were uncomfortable because I had my shape-ups on, and my knees were extended past my waist, and I couldn’t spread them out because, again, the seats are too small and too close together.
So, the first act. I was disappointed with the lack of an overture. They set up the musical, IMO. I can usually tell if I’ll like a musical based on how much I like the overture.
Loved “Chim Chim Cher-ee”, but it wasn’t something memorable. Nor was “Cherry Tree Lane (Part 1)” I hated the song. Why couldn’t they keep the original in? Really disliked the girl playing Jane. The little light signaling the Mary Poppins has arrived was pathetic. Why didn’t they just have her do the stage flying?
I was so upset that Mrs. Banks was now this wishy washy woman, previous stage actress - I loved how in the movie she was a part of the “Votes for Women” campaign.
I also can’t STAND how bratty and obnoxious they made the children. They weren’t like that at all in the movie, and I don’t think they were like that in the books either.
Anyway, so Mary Poppins has arrived, and basically everything the movie happened regarding getting the advertisement the children wrote up. The only difference was that Mrs. Banks conducted the “interview”.
We get up into the nursery with Mary, Jane, and Michael. Mary picks up a toy that was thrown onto the floor by Jane. Mary asks what his name is and Jane answers “He’s Valentine, and I don’t want to play with him.” And then shoves him under her mattresses. Mary replies “Treat him like that, and he won’t want to play with you.”
The magic of the carpet bag was there. Very happy to see that! She does the tape measuring thing, which leads into the song “Practically Perfect”, which was a rather annoying song. This stage version of Mary Poppins is very vain, IMO.
We’re then taken to the Cherry Tree Park, where Bert is screeving. The kids complain that going to the park is dank and boring, which then leads into “Jolly Holiday” sung in a transformed park full of life , light, and bright colors. Really loved this number; I’m a sucker for big chorus and dance numbers.
to be continued...