“Mary Poppins”

[rating=5] Names like Disney and Cameron Mackintosh ring like a cash register when it comes to musical theater. Disney is of course best known for the amazing cartoons and films that evolved into amusement parks and the entire entertainment world. Mackintosh, for its live theatrical productions that are everlasting memories. When they got together to bring “Mary Poppins” from film to stage, everyone knew that they would have a sure hit. With the music of Richard M. and Robert E. Sherman and a book by Julian Fellowes, the amazing story of this magical nanny as created by P.L. Travers and  what she does for one family , is make for a complete change and bring them true happiness. Yes, that is the basic story, but of greater importance, the entire production is geared to bring every family together. Yes, to bring them to the theater as a “family” and for the adults, allow them to open up their minds and let their imagination juices flow. Families will walk out of this one with smiles on their faces and happiness in their hearts.

Knowing that almost every other theater company has had a version in the last four years or so, Drury Lane opted to do one more version for its subscribers and its public. Directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, on a set designed by Kevin Depinet, nothing has been left out. Yes, Mary does fly and glide up the stairs ( Paul Rubin has done a masterful job). In fact she flies across the entire theater ( which I did not think could be done in this venue). The audience gasped every time. The wild kitchen scene was also insanely magical.

When putting a show like this together, the director and casting director have to make sure that they have a strong Bert, who is our story teller and creates a great deal of the “magic” with Mary and Mary Poppins. They have succeeded to the highest degree. James T. Lane brings a smile to our face as the character who is best friends with Mary Poppins. He is an amazing dancer and as I sat very near the stage, I could see the facial expressions- each one was as if what he was seeing was for the very first time. Honest and real.

As for Mary Poppins, Emilie Lynn. who many might recall from Drury Lane’s “Les Miserables” as Fantine, she is dynamite. Yes, over the years, we have had some wonderful performances of this role and I for one felt that Ms. Lynn exceeded my expectations! I truly believed that she was “Mary Poppins”!

The family Mary is there to help, the Banks family is composed of the parents, Winifred ( Chicago favorite Alexis J. Roston) and George ( the always amazing Matt Crowle, who has gone from being Bert in a production at the Mercury to the father with style grace and his always great comic timing) and their children, Jane ( Grier Burke) and Michael ( the adorable Sebastian Merlo), who are in need of a happier family life. As usual, children’s roles are double cast and the alternative children would be Nicole Scimeca as Jane and Hunter DiMalig as Michael.

This story is their story,  but it “takes a village” to tell it ,and in this case an ensemble of singers/dancers/actors that are astounding on stage and absultely amazing at changing costumes offstage! They zip off as one character, stage left and return stage right as another. I always say that a musical works when the ensemble does their jobs to perfection and this one is amazing! Joe Capstick, Brian M. Duncan, Alejandro Fonseca, Annie Jo Ermel, Iris Lieberman ( who now can add puppy trainer to her resume), Amanda Compton LoPresti, Jenny McPherson, Johanna McKenzie Miller ( Katie Nana), Nathan Mittleman, Thomas Ortiz, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp ( Mrs. Corry in the “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious number),, Marisa Riegle, Sam Shankman, Sawyer Smith ( who truly has grown before our very eyes. Smith can be over the top, but with style), Catherine Smitko ( “Feed The Birds” woman  and Mrs. Brill ),Holly Stauder ( an amazing Miss Andrew), Davon Suttles, Martin Ortiz Tapia and Bret Tuomi ( as the Admiral and the Bank Chairman). BRAVO!

Songs in the show are “Practically Perfect”, “Jolly Holiday” ( this is a powerful number with statues coming alive that will amze your little ones), “A Spoonful of Sugar”, “Feed The Birds”, of course, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “Chim-Chim-Cher-ee”, “Let’s Go Fly A Kite”, “Step In Time” ( a dance number that will make you want to dance with the sweeps), “Anything Can Happen” and so much more. A true musical experience and Drury Lane has hit their mark!

This is a learning experience for little ones. Number one, the story, of course. A wonderful story where a family that is somewhat apart becomes whole. Let’s face it- in today’s world, this is truly needed. The other is the experience in sitting in a theater for almost three hours ( opening night started a bit late and the intermission took far longer than the 15 minutes they offer) , but it never seems like that long. The fluidness that Milgom Dodge has created ( along with co-choreographer Josh Waldon) made the time fly by . Even the three little girls sitting in front of Musical Director, Roberta Duchak ( who as always did a wonderful job) were engrossed in the show from start to finish.

The technical aspects to the production were, as usual at Drury Lane, top notch! Lighting ( Paul Miller), sound (Ray Nardelli), projections (Kevan Loney- those birds appeared to be in the theater) , props ( Cassy Schillo), and costumes ( Robin L. McGee- wow!). The illusion design was by Jim Steinmeyer and was pretty cool to watch. Ethan Deppe handled the electronic music design and the wigs and hair were handled by Claire Moores. I am not sure how many people were backstage for the myriad of costume changes, but they should also be mentioned. They did a bang-up job. No one ever missed a cue!

“Mary Poppins” will continue at The Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre thru January 19th. Performance schedule:

Price: $60 – $75

Show Type: Childrens

Box Office: 630-530-0111

www.drurylaneoakbrook.com

The theater is located at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace ( just north of the shopping center) with plenty of free parking. There are some dinner/lunch options as well.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Mary Poppins”.