The musical is an adaptation of not only the Disney classic starring the ever endearing Julie Andrews and the comic genius Dick Van Dyke, but also the original book. This is key to note because this musical adaptation is a bit darker and more somber than the 1964 Disney movie.
That being said, there is plenty of lightness and fun to this production. The scenes that stand out the most are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and the Chimney Sweep scene. Mostly what comes out of all of this is how impressive the dancing and choreography is. Supercal. is incredibly fast to the point of sheer exhaustion (good thing the intermission is directly after!). And the technical ability of the dancers for the Chimney Sweep is really impressive.
I personally know the Asst. Dance Captain for the touring production through my own dance connections. Her name is Kelly Jacobs and she is an incredible dancer, so I knew before walking into the theatre (the Ahmanson in downtown LA) that the dancing would be worth it alone. After the show she gave us a backstage tour, much to my delight.
Kelly Jacobs and I backstage at LA's Ahmanson Theatre.
However, like with all good Disney musicals, the most important aspect is the spectacle. And boy, did it deliver. Not only is the world of the magical Mary Poppins fully complete with the magic carpet bag, moving up staircase banisters, and that mystical umbrella, but Disney took it to a new level. Little effects of making Bert's paintings come to life still stunned the theatre veteran.
But then the mega-effects made it feel like you really were on Broadway, not in LA's downtown district. Two major spectacles completed the show. The first was the end moment when (*Spoiler Alert!*) Mary is flown with her umbrella not just up over the heads of the actors on stage, but over the audience and is flown to be eye level with not just the first balcony, but the SECOND balcony. This is absolutely incredible. I was eye to eye with her only being 5 feet away (on the first balcony). She then exits through the cat walk and RUNS down to make it for the curtain call--but of course, she's last to bow so that gives her enough time.
The second, and perhaps more amazing spectacle occurred during the infamous Chimney Sweep scene. Bert (attached with wires) starts to walk up the wall of the stage left proscenium. He then continues to round the corner until he is directly above center stage with his feet on the proscenium arch and his head downstage. He is completely upside down. Amazing. But, then, he taps. Yes, taps. Upside down, over a hundred feet up in the air. Tapping. And he is not just tapping his toe. No, sir. He is tapping an amazing tap solo that Savion Glover would be proud of. Then after he finishes with a flourish--still upside down, mind you--he starts walking down the stage right proscenium wall. Incredible. I heard it was performed on Conan, but I cannot imagine that it had as great an impact as it did on the stage. Absolutely incredible.
Good Job, Disney.
My recommendation? If you can, go see it. Yes, it is for children. Yes, the children in it are whiny, kinda obnoxious and have fake British accents. Yes, it is Disney. And yes, for those theatre-snobs out there it has a lot of spectacle. But you know what? It's really good spectacle.
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