BWW Reviews: MARY POPPINS Wows at The Muny

By: Aug. 02, 2013
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The current production of Mary Poppins that's playing at The Muny is "practically perfect", featuring some nice special effects, a wonderful set, and terrific performances that manage to capture the spirit of the 1964 Disney film, as well as the P.L. Travers books that inspired it. The original and familiar tunes of Richard and Robert Sherman mesh seamlessly with the new material created by composers George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and it's all lushly orchestrated and performed. Additionally, Julian Fellowes has crafted a book that incorporates bits plucked from the movie as well as from Travers' original stories. This intermingling of the old with the new is surprisingly refreshing. This is a spectacular show that appeals to both children and adults.

After a succession of nannies take their leave of the Banks home and its dysfunctional inhabitants, they're left at loose ends, with only the housekeeping staff left to look after the children. But, a discarded advert the kids concoct requesting someone special to come along brings Mary Poppins to the rescue. Her unique style of governing brightens this otherwise gloomy household. But, when she senses that she's not appreciated, she abruptly abandons the family, allowing the "holy terror" known as Miss Andrews to take charge. Naturally, she eventually returns, insinuating her sunny disposition into the proceedings in a way that brings all matters to a happy conclusion.

Jenny Powers is charming and disarming as Mary, and her sweet voice fits this material like a glove. She's well matched with Rob McClure as Bert, who narrates the tale as well as providing a presence as a sort of guardian angel in his occupation as chimney sweep. McClure anchors the show with his good-natured humor and affable antics, and shows off his dancing skills with the gravity-defying show-stopper, "Step in Time". Stephen Buntrock and Erin Dilly do fine work as George and Winifred Banks, respectively. Both characters are stuck in ruts that are driving a wedge between them and their children, and the transformation that occurs as a result of Mary's influence is well played. Dilly reveals the depth of her dissatisfaction during the wistful number "Being Mrs. Banks", while Buntrock laments that "A Man Has Dreams". Elizabeth Teeter and Aidan Gemme are splendid as their children, Jane and Michael.

Gary Griffin's direction keeps the action moving along at a nice pace, with nary a lull to be found. He's aided in his directorial efforts by Alex Sanchez, who also handles the sparkling choreography. Michael Schweikardt's lovely scenic design and Nancy Missimi's costumes are also fine contributions, and so are Michael Horsley's music direction and Seth Jackson's lighting scheme.

The Muny's presentation of Mary Poppins is pure, unadulterated magic, wowing the audience with visual delights and catchy tunes, and it continues through August 2, 2013,

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