MARY POPPINS

 

One of my favorite movies of all-time is Sullivan’s Travels because, in a nutshell, it shows how important laughter is. In life, I often flash on the faces of the prisoners when they’re seeing a comedy. That’s how I felt about Mary Poppins. Having seen it before, I had the luxury of taking my eyes off the stage occasionally to revel in the happy faces around me. I don’t think a smile ever left most of the audience member’s faces.

And I was grateful for that dose of happiness, too. (I needed that Spoonful of Sugar, let me tell you.) Mainly because of the crazy year I’ve had, I missed almost the entire season of great Ahmanson Theatre shows. So I’m thrilled that I was able to make it to their Mary Poppins opening last week. What better theatre piece to get back on the horse with???

I had seen this show when it was here the first time, almost three years ago. I’ve never seen them bring back a show so soon after it’s original run before, so I’m happy that Mary Poppins was the one they did it with. You know I expected great things (especially after I read my original glowing review from the first go-round, which you can read here: www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2009/12/15/theatre-3) for me to leave the Olympics for a few hours! And I was correct once again.

The weird thing is that I had the very same experience as last time, in the reviewing category! I just could not bring myself to write even one note during the show! My eyes were just riveted to the stage. (And the aforementioned occasional glance to the audience.)

I was happy to see so many children in attendance because, knowing how special an experience this must be for them, that made me smile even more. They’ll have great memories for the rest of their lives. (Kind-of the same way that Peter Pan has affected me.)

One more theatre note, and then I’ll get to the actual show, though it doesn’t need to be reviewed in detail. There’s nothing to analyze, like with heavier fare, except to maybe try to figure out what was in that medicine that made them all so happy, and where we can get some!!! Anyway, beside the usual brownies and cookies that the Ahmanson always sells at their classy lobby concession area, this time they had a Candy Bar!!! You bought a box and then could fill it with any candy you chose! What a fun thing to do. I believe it was for this engagement only, because it’s geared toward kids, but boy do I wish they would keep it year-round. Then there’s a chance that Mr. X would actually come to see the shows there with me! (You all know he’s mainly a homebody, except for his krump dancing, but he just looooves him some candy!)

Now to the show itself. Every nuance was great. It’s one of the most well thought-out shows I’ve ever seen. Not even a gesture was let to chance. The sets set the tone right off the bat. [Note: I loved not only the colorful ones, but the almost Escher-esque design of the bank was boggling my mind!] The costumes, though mostly not as colorful and clever as the sets, followed along. The music was beautiful and whimsical, (including the new songs that weren’t in the movie, so therefore haven’t been famous for the decades that the Sherman Brothers’ tunes, such as Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, have.)

But mostly, I loved the dance numbers. Without having read the program, (because I save that until after I’ve experienced a show for myself,) I flashed on my favorite choreographer, Matthew Bourne, a couple of times during the show. I really didn’t know why, and later I learned that he’s the one who choreographed the production! (And co-directed it, too, I might add.) [Note: I know I should have remembered that from last time, but, contrary to popular opinion, there are actually some things in life I forget.] While perhaps not as stunning as his work on Swan Lake and Play Without Words, for instance, those are full-out ballets performed by dancers, while Mary Poppins is a musical comedy featuring actors who can sing and dance. And sing and dance they did!

While there were no weak performances at all, Rachel Wallace as Mary was the stand-out, as well an actress in that role should be. She sounded a lot like Julie Andrews, both in singing and speaking, and that made the show that much more special for the grown-ups, I’m sure.

I’m not going to insult you with a synopsis of the scenes themselves. If you don’t know the basic premise, (which I can’t even imagine,) perhaps you should look it up. Or just go see it on blind faith. No one could possibly dislike this show. As a matter of fact, my guest, (who drove a hundred miles round trip just to see it with me!,) and many people around us, were just gushing after the show. They said it was fabulous, in every category.

One of the highlights of the evening for me came after the show, at the valet parking. I saw my old pal, Richard Sherman, who, along with his late brother, Robert, wrote all the songs. For many years, we sat together at every opening night party, and I swear, you could never tell how much this man has accomplished in his life; he’s just so humble and appreciative of others. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more in love couple than Richard and his wife of a billion years, Elizabeth. We don’t get to see each other very often anymore, so that was a treat. As he hugged me hello, he said, “Great cast, eh?” He’s seen every carnation of this show, so that’s high praise.

I’m adding high praise from me, as well. I rarely get excited about anything anymore, but I’m telling you that you absolutely must see Mary Poppins. If you attend just one show this entire season, this one should be it!

[Note: please don’t judge the show by these dark photos. The production is a super colorful visual feast! I guess the powers-that-be didn’t want to spoil any surprises for you, so they didn’t release the more enticing pix. But please trust me on the beauty of the sets.]

Mary Poppins running through Sept. 2, 2012
Ahmanson Theatre 135 N. Grand Ave. 213-972-4400 www.CenterTheatreGroup.org