Mary Poppins uses eye candy, clowning and fancy dancing to retell the whimsical tale of the starchy nanny (Caroline Sheen) who’s “Practically Perfect,” her antic friend Bert the chimney sweep (Gavin Lee) and precocious Jane and Michael Banks (Kelsey Fowler and Carter Thomas), the neglected, troublesome children of a workaholic London banker.
There are wonderful magical effects including statues that come to life, Bert’s tap dance up one side of the stage proscenium, across the top and down the opposite side and Mary’s aerial arrivals and departures. The show’s visuals are excellent — numerous costumes (chorus members are constantly changing) and scenery that suddenly glows in Technicolor, glitters and magically changes, all designed by Bob Crowley.
A sprightly orchestra, conducted by James Dodgson, keeps the tempo high. Presented by Broadway Across America at the Aronoff Center through April 25.
Get showtimes, buy tickets and read Rick Pender's full review here.
