Mary Poppins is one of the reasons I subscribed to Music Circus season this summer. I love this musical, and I have to confess, I’m biased because my friend, Daniel Jenkins was Mr. Banks in the original cast on Broadway (hence I saw the show several times before he departed from the company). Aside from my friend being in the show, I like the delightful musical scenes nevertheless. I saw the tour production as well, so I was looking forward to seeing this production for the round stage. I enjoyed the show along with the sold out house.
On Broadway, the house, 17 Cherry Tree Lane was an attraction itself. Of course you don’t expect any significant set in Music Circus but to imagine and figure out how they would present some important sets is fun and it’s a part of the “theatre magic.” I was curious how they are going to do Mary’s magic carpet bag scene during “Practically Perfect,” and they did fine. A girl who sat in front of me was impressed along with other audience.
In this production, they really did use all four aisles as an extension of the stage. I particularly liked the beginning of “Step In Time” number because it gave an illusion that you are seeing the chimney sweeps on the rooftops across the town. There is a color change in “Jolly Holiday” in the original production, and Music Circus version did a fine job. “Supercalifragilisticexpiolidocious” is such a fun number, and the choreography looked a little similar to the Broadway version yet with a different twist. For both Jolly Holiday and Supercali.. the costume team did an excellent job getting colorful and fun costumes.
Kelly McCormick, a new comer to Music Circus, played the title role, and she portrayed the quintessential English nanny well, although I wondered if she is a natural soprano or not as her voice sometimes did not soar. Bert was played by Robert Creighton, and his Bert was different from other Bert (slender and tall) I saw before. His Bert had a little more comical side, and he seemed like Mary’s sidekick. Nevertheless his tap dance was pretty exciting. David Engel (Sharon!) played Mr. Banks as strict, no nonsense father who doesn't know how to be a good father well. I expected him to do more (Supercal part) though. I really liked Shannon Warne’s Mrs. Banks, even though this is a rather thankless role. I was excited to see Ruth Gottschall reprises the role she originated (Miss Andrew) as the quality of the performance heightened a notch when she was on the stage. Jane and Michael were played by local child actors, Noa Solorio and Ben Ainley-Zoll respectively, and they were adorable although they are both the same age, so Jane didn't look like she’s an older sibling.
Spoiler alert
In this production, “Playing the Game” (formally “Temper Temper”) was omitted. Mr. Banks got mad at the kids after Supercali.. number, they were sent to their room and say something rude to Mary. Mary warns them about sometimes things/wishes come true (like Jane says she doesn't want to play with Valentine), then she leaves the room. Then she goes to the rooftop to meet with Bert singing Chim Chim Cher-ee, then leaves the house. I’m wondering this is a new version for a regional production? Because Playing the Game was still in the touring production. “Temper Temper” was revised twice (?) because it’s too dark for the taste I guess but “Playing the Game” was not scary at all. The show still took 2 hours 40 min (including 20 min intermission), so they needed to cut the scene?
Another scene that I wasn’t particularly impressed was during “Step In Time,” where Bert tap dances by himself. Remember, in the original production (as well as touring), Bert tap dances upside down, which was thrilling and fun. I know most of, if any, regional theatres don’t have such technology for the scene, so I don’t expect to see anything like that. Matter fact, I don’t need to see anything special/gimmicky for that part at all. But for some reasons, Dan Mojica (choreographer) thought something special needs to be added during the number (or is it required in the script?) and had Bert tap on a board that was laid between the chimneys. To me, it was anything but spectacular or exciting. I’d rather want to see him tapping away in the center stage instead.
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