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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Mary Poppins
| Supercalofragilisticespialodocious!— Mary & Cas
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Travers would be twirling in her grave at the Disneyesque version of her Mary now at the Ahmanson. However, Julian Fellowes who wrote the stage book, can be commended for shrewdly choosing the best of the three novels and adding a family story to give it enough consistency and depth for this version's legs that have kept it running on Broadway and also traveling to other stages like this.
George Banks (Karl Kenzler) is pompous and grumpy and his wife Winifred (Megan Osterhaus) is under his thumb. Their two children, Jane (Katie Balen, Bailey Grey) and Michael (Bryce Baldwin, Carter Thomas), are predictably bratty, going through nannies like Kleenex. Ashley Brown (who was in the show on Broadway when it was reviewed there) holds the stage with a tart presence, a mellifluous voice and a graceful flair. She's partnered by Gavin Lee (another Broadway original) as Bert, the chimney sweep, who dances with comical élan. The pair echo the book's hint that Mary is a timeless figure and that Bert knew her when.
Spoonful of Sugar takes place appropriately in the kitchen, where the hapless Robertson Ay delightfully dithering as played by Andrew Keenan-Bolger, wrecks havoc. Ay is partnered in the kitchen by Mrs. Brill, resoundingly played by Valerie Boyle. Bird Woman is now poignantly sung by Mary Van Arsdel and the r father's old nanny, Miss Andrew, also known as The Holy Terror, is slimily played by Ellen Harvey, whose solo "Brimstone and Treacle" climaxes on a chilling note that has both children bending over backwards.
George Stiles and Anthony Drewe's new songs don't compare with the songs written for the movie by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman but the scenic design by Bob Crowley (who also did the costumes) is to die for and Richard Eyre directs with a keen eye for Fellowes' script and Bourne's choreography.
For more details, a picture of Ashley Brown and a song list see Curtainup's review of the Broadway Production.
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Mary Poppins Presented by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh Based on the stories of P. L Travers and the Walt Disney film Director: Richard Eyre Choreographer: Matthew Bourne Book: Julian Fellowes Original Music and Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman New Songs: George Stiles and Anthony Drewe Co-created: Cameron Mackintosh Cast: Bert (Gavin Lee), George Banks (Karl Kenzler), Winifred Banks (Megan Osterhaus), Jane Banks (Katie Balen or Bailey Grey), Michael Banks (Bryce Baldwin or Carter Thomas), Katie Nanna (Emily Harvey), Policeman (Laird Mackintosh), Miss Lark (Wendy James), Admiral Boom (Mike O'Connell), Mrs. Brill (Valerie Boyle), Robertson Ay (Andrew Keenan-Bolger), Mary Poppins (ASshley Brown), Park Keeper (Tom Souhrada), Neleus (Brian Letendre), Queen Victoria (Emily Harvey), Bank Chairman (Mike O'Carroll), Miss Smythe (Ellen Harvey), Von Hussler (Michael Gerhart), Northbrook (Dominic Roberts), Bird Woman (Mary VanArdel), Mrs. Corry (Q. Smith), Valentine (Nick Sanchez), Miss Andrew (Ellen Harvey). Scenic & Costume Design: Bob Crowley Music Supervisor: David Caddick Music Director: James Dodgson Orchestrations: William David Brohn Sound Design: Steve Canyon Kennedy Dance & Vocal Arrangements: George Stiles Co-choreographer: Stephen Mear Lighting Design: Howard Harrison Running dates: Nov. 13, 2009-Feb. 7, 2010. Place: The Ahmanson Theatre, 601 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. Reservations: (213) 972-4400. |
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