Pictured with Elena Shaddow who plays Mary Poppins.
The utterly delightful production of Mary Poppins at the Paper Mill Playhouse is not to be missed. It may sound trite, but I was literally smiling from ear to ear, like an eager kid in a candy shop, from the moment the orchestra played the first note to the last. My enthusiasm was not just for this particular show (although it is “Practically Perfect”), but also because I’ve been schlepping from the suburbs to Broadway shows pretty much since I was 3 (except for some years actually living in Manhattan) and the quality of Mary Poppins was a reminder that I don’t always need to go down to the city for an intricate and beautiful Broadway production. That’s because we have the Paper Mill Playhouse, Recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, right here in our own backyard.
I was eager to see Mary Poppins from the onset as was my 8 year-old daughter, but I have to admit some in my family were slightly skeptical, as we had seen the Broadway production back in 2012. My ‘tween’ age son felt he was ‘too old’ to see Mary Poppins again and my husband felt that the Broadway version was still fresh in his memory. Flash forward to the end of the show where my son jumped out of his seat to give a standing ovation (and he even admitted to me that he became teary-eyed during the scene when Mr. Banks, played by Adam Monley, lets his inner child out). My composer, musician husband was so impressed that afterwards he made a point of asking Mark S. Hoebee, (Director, Producing Artistic Director at Paper Mill) if this version was heading to Broadway (woefully it is not).
The Paper Mill Playhouse production of Mary Poppins stands out and is unique especially in its staging and choreography. We all marveled at how Mary Poppins (the flawless Elena Shaddow) could possibly pull a large umbrella, floor lamp and a twin size bed out of her carpet bag. However, for all of us the number that makes this production particularly exceptional is “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” choreographed by Denis Jones to become what I would describe as a living Scrabble Board. Each member of the ensemble dances with their own letter and they don’t only spell out the "Title Song" word, but many other words (including "CLAP" at the end!) using those same letter cards as they move into various, intricately worked out positions throughout the song. The number is seamless, but one marvels at how many hours of rehearsal and how much care and precision must have been taken backstage to assure that every cast member timed things so perfectly and to such a breathtaking end result.
Speaking of the cast, Mark Evans’ Bert is magnetic and has a nice chemistry with Elena Shaddow’s Mary Poppins. We were surprised to learn that the only real Brits in the cast are Mark Evans and Abbie Grace Levi (Jane Banks in the evening shows) because everyone sounded truly authentic (I still enjoy the film, but Dick Van Dyke’s accent was always a bit obvious to me). Jill Paige’s portrayal of Winifred Banks as earnest, overwhelmed, and ready to blossom is also truly noteworthy.
This production also seemed to reveal to me (more than other productions) that Mary, Bert and the Chimney Sweepers are guardian angels stepping in “just in time” to help and sway people on the right course. These dancing, singing guardians were all oddly comforting to me and honestly provided two hours of much needed theatrical bliss (given the cacophony that is our daily news cycle lately).
Spit Spot - Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical is only at the Paper Mill Playhouse until June 25, 2017 and seats are selling out quickly.
MARY POPPINS: The Broadway Musical
22 Brookside Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
Now - June 25, 2017
John Michael Pitera and Abbie Grace Levi (Jane & Michael Banks in the evening performances)
*Note I was given tickets to the show in exchange for this review, but as always all opinions are truly my own.
