Archived theater review: Mary Poppins on Broadway

MARY POPPINS
At the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York City
Opens November 16, 2006
By Gary Chattman

“Just a spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down”…says one song from the Cameron MacIntosh/Disney show “Mary Poppins”, based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney movie. And you can bet that this show gives its audience more than just a “spoonful of sugar”. It is a delightful romp for all ages; those who are young, those who are older and those who are young-at-heart!

The direction of Richard Eyre is seamless. The scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley rule. You simply won’t believe the (expensive) floating in-and-out of the home of the Banks family, on “Cherry Tree Lane”! You will marvel at the dancing, created by choreographer George Stiles and Matthew Bourne! Watch for Mary Poppins (played with command, talent, cheek and excellent voice by Ashley Brown) float off into the night, over the heads of the audience! Watch for Gavin Lee, imported from the British show, dance rings around the proscenium! Both these performers make one forget Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke! In an interview, Gavin Lee stated that the part of Bert always would be the “property” of Mr. Van Dyke. When you see his energy…verve…talent…you forget Van Dyke! This marvel of a show makes one forget the mundane of everyday life, and it becomes quite “Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious!”

No expense has been found lacking in this “Practically Perfect” musical, with added music to the Sherman Brothers’ original score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The book by Julian Fellowes follows more the wishes of the author, who complained (with a “wink”) about the Disney version that was too saccharine.

We find the Banks family, typically dysfunctional, consisting of bank officer George (played by the genius of “BigRiver”, Daniel Jenkins), who was raised as a child by an evil nanny (scene-stealer Ruth Gottschall). His austere childhood prevents him from connecting and loving his children (Katherine Leigh Doherty and Matthew Gumley, who at their young ages seem like stage veterans) or his wife (played by the golden voice of the recent revival of “Music Man”, Rebecca Luker). Enter the “magical” nanny, Mary Poppins. Mary revitalizes this family with her ally Bert, and various come-to-life statues, birds, stars—and even Queen Victoria! What a plot! What music! (Did anyone hum “Chim Chim Cheree?) What a show! “Step in Time” to the New Amsterdam Theatre. Bring your kids, bring your nephews and nieces, bring your neighbor’s kids—or bring the kid that lurks within you. One lady was overheard at intermission, marveling with nostalgia and love, at the show. She said “I saw this movie with my late grandmother—now I’m at the show.” Such is the remembrance for “Mary Poppins”—the show, in the year 2006: ”It’s a Jolly Holiday”—for all!