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Mary Poppins at the PPAC, RI- The Review

It’s ….supercalifragilisticexpiadlidocious! This word sums up the Broadway touring smash hit, Mary Poppins, playing at the PPAC in Rhode Island now through February 19, 2012. Be prepared as the magical nanny flies into the PPAC in the extraordinary tale bringing the original movie, Mary Poppins, to life right before your very eyes. 



Walt Disney films and the original stories by P.L. Travers brings Mary Poppins to stage in Rhode Island for a limited two week engagement. If you are familiar with the Mary Poppins movie, you will notice some variable changes to the original score but this only adds flavor to the Broadway hit. Mary Poppins, the Broadway musical, is more adapted to the stories by P.L. Travers and includes scores that were not seen in the original movie. In my opinion, this makes the show even greater. More musical numbers set to life- what more can you ask for!  The musical follows the story of the magical Mary Poppins who is hired to nanny the Banks children,  Jane and Michael.  Mary Poppins comes to teach the misbehaved children through rather unconventional measures. Her main motto is to make your dreams come true and let things happen if you dream/believe it. 



Rachel Wallace (Mary Poppins)  was terrific in her singing and acting of all the true Mary Poppins classics. I felt like she truly shined in the second act with her near perfect rendition of A Spoonful of Sugar and Anything Can Happen. Michael Dean Morgan (Mr. Banks) played the perfect role of the strict but turned  apathetic father of the Banks children, Michael (Zach Timson) and Jane (Marissa Ackerman). When I first heard Mr. Banks talk and sing, I instantly recognized him from the voice of Zazu in the Broadway show, The Lion King. He also played the neurotic flying fish, Marlin, in Disney’s Finding Nemo on Broadway. Case Dillard (Bert) shined in the musical with his renditions of Chim Chim Cher-ee. Elizabeth Broadhurt (Mrs.  Banks) played the role of the sweet and good natured mother of Michael and Jane. One of my favorite secondary characters in this show was Q. Smith (Bird Woman/Miss Andrew) who made the audience crack up in hysterics and who really could belt phenomenal Broadway tunes. 

All the songs including the favorites, Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, were superb but by far my favorite was Step in Time which was done in the middle of the second act. The incredible tap number really gave the audience the thrill of a lifetime. Never before in my history of seeing Broadway shows (I have seen upwards of 40 shows) have I seen such a true production number. Everyone was perfectly coordinated and the tapping was extraordinary.

One of the greatest aspects of Mary Poppins is the sets. The dynamic sets truly made the show. I have read recently that Mary Poppins is the only touring Broadway show in the history of Broadway touring theatre that brings all their sets from their New York City onstage every night in cities all over the country. Usually when shows tour across the country, they bring modified setting with them. However, in Mary Poppins, you will get the true Broadway experience, as ALL of the sets are directly made up from the Broadway stage sets. The sets and the transitions are so well executed and you are simply stunned by the breathtaking sets. All the sets involve vivid coloring and simply amazing costumes. If you are with a child, they will be blown away by the set design. Hayley kept whispering to me that the colors were so pretty. I couldn’t agree more. Mary Poppins stage/setting/costumes are really like no other Broadway show before. It is also amazing to see Mary flying through the sky on several occasions. The way they showed it onstage truly looked as if she was flying high in the sky. Breathtaking!



I give this show a A in overall ratings. If you want to be lifted to a happy, magical place, look no further than Mary Poppins. If you have kids, it truly is a must see! For ticket information, please check out the PPAC or by calling 401-421-ARTS. It is playing to February 19 so hurry up and get tickets. Also remember that Wednesday February 15 is Amica family night where theatergoers under the age of 18 will be able to receive a free ticket of equal value with the purchase of a full priced ticket for the 7pm show. 







*Thank you to the PPAC for providing me tickets in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.

Comments

  1. Modern Day Disciple says

    Step in Time was my favorite, too! Thanks again for the opportunity to win tickets! Great review as well.

  2. LisaLisa says

    Simply love your blog. I love Mary Poppins and would love to see the Broadway act. Kids now and days need to experience this wonderful play so they can see the true meaning of a good movie like "Mary Poppins"

  3. Tiffany C. says

    Awesome! I love Mary Poppins 🙂 I would love to go to this show but I don't think it's coming my way.

  6. Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says

    Love that supercalifragilisticexpiadlidocious! word! Thanks for the awewosome review and contact info…..Will see what cities!

  7. Anonymous says

    I just bought tickets yesterday after you were raving about it. I can't wait to go see it this week!

  9. Nikki says

    I love Mary Poppins! I actually played her in my kindergarten play. It was my shining moment as an actress…and unfortunately my only starring role in my life. LOL. I would love to take my son to see this sometime.

  10. DeDa Studios says

    I love Mary Poppins! We I was 8 I used to know how to spell Supercalafrajolistic….not anymore! 🙂

  16. Ruth Dennison says

    Oh my word! My sister and I were in England when they released the live performance there and it totally rocked!!! Best live performance I have ever experienced!

  17. tonygreene113 says

    This would be awesome for my two young girls to see on the weekend. Hopefully this will be making the rounds to my area very soon. We have a small theater in my immediate area.

    St. Petersburg and Tampa will more than likely be a place where we could see this show.

  18. Two Little Cavaliers says

    I bet your daughter loved the show! How exciting that you got to go to the local theater and see the actual sets from Broadway. I bet that limits the cities they can visit to only those with really big theaters but makes the experience so much more magical for those who do get to see it.

  19. kewkew says

    I never knew there was a live performance of Mary Poppins. Wonder if it will ever come near us. I remember singing some of the songs back in elementary school. Sounds like a great show.

  20. Gumdrop Pass says

    Oh my GOSH — I'd DIE to go to this. I LOVED the movie when I was little… and I was a chimney sweet dancer in my 4th grade play! lol. Such an AWESOME experience for you and Hayley, I'm sure 🙂

  21. Jeremy, Censie and Jude says

    Looks like so much fun! I took my mom to this show when it was in Denver we loved it!! I am glad the girls had fun!! :O)

  24. Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com says

    Sounds like something real fun to see. I have always been a fan of Mary Poppins!

  26. Blush Makeup Studio says

    My daughter and I LOVE Mary poppins! What a great review, the show sounds fantastic!

  32. AMBER EDWARDS says

    Oh that would have been AMAZING to be able to go there and see that! Plus being able to review it is even Better!!! I love the movie, wish I could see it LIVE!

  33. Elle says

    Mary Popping was one of my favorite books when little and I absolutly love the movie with Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews.

    I haven't ever seen a stage production of it…yet. I bet that is just as good though. If it comes to my neck of the woods I might have to drag the hubby out for dinner and a show!