![]() Smith, who earns laughs and sneers as Miss Andrew, the comically villainous anti-nanny who appears in the second act. ![]() Among the most enjoyable: Rachel Izen as the Banks’ territorial-but-lovable cook Mrs. ![]() The supporting ensemble is excellent under Richard Eyre’s smooth direction. Mancuso and Tyler Merna (alternating with Talon Ackerman as Jane’s brother Michael) sing and move well while conveying the requisite dramatic arc from comically whiny brats to Poppins-reformed anchors of the family’s self-renewal. Camille Mancuso, a talented Blacklick, Ohio, native who has toured in several musicals, tops herself as Jane Banks (alternating at performances with Marissa Smoker). Meanwhile, the soul of the family is its lonely, lovely children, who so desperately need a good nanny. They each make the most of their plaintive solos, A Man Has Dreams and Being Mrs. Michael Dean Morgan, as stiff, workaholic George Banks, and Blythe Wilson, as his devoted but ignored wife Winifred, ultimately overcome the stereotypes of their respective gender-defined roles. s Bert, the chimney sweep who doubles as narrator and now even as prime scenery-changer of the deftly reconceived tour design, Nicolas Dromard buoyantly fills the shoes once danced in so memorably by Dick van Dyke on film and Gavin Lee in London and New York.The belated heart of the musical is really the Banks family, whose struggle in 1910 London to rediscover what’s truly important in life is touching if predictable. Steffanie Leigh sings beautifully, smiles warmly (but not too humanly, given the nanny’s cheerfully steely will) and dances smoothly enough to help personify her deus ex machina role. A The title character may seize the final bows, but Mary Poppins is just the catalyst for the central family drama. Traver’s somewhat darker original novels. Julian Fellowes’ tidy book blends elements drawn from the sugary 1964Disney film and P. The polished and peppy national tour, which opened to applause and laughter at a packed Ohio Theatre, confirms why this family-oriented favorite has run for years in New York – and attracted some adults without kids, too. Here for the Theater Talk record is my original web review of the national tour - with a few extra paragraphs of observation added:ĭespite the cheerfully insistent title of one of its best new songs, Mary Poppins isn’t “practically perfect.” Yet, this lavish Broadway musical comes jolly close in its best songs and dances. But many adults might find that they're missing out on some terrific stagecraft, dancing and singing in the peppy tour, which continues through Sunday May 8 at the Ohio Theatre. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Practically perfect? Or perhaps just entertaining enough for kids? Most adults wouldn't necessarily think of going to see Mary Poppins without the accompaniment of the younger set.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |