While in Chicago this past weekend, we had the great fortune to see Disney's Broadway in Chicago production, Mary Poppins, the Musical. Held at the gorgeous Cadillac Theater, this was a fantastic production. I've seen musicals all over the world - including London - and this was my absolute favorite. It could have been the extreme friendliness and helpfulness of the ushers, with my handicap seating. It could have been being in the presence of our 6-year old daughter, and the magic that lit up her eyes. It could have been the incredible talent of the cast and the crew. Or, it could have been a combination of all of the above, that led to an extraordinary evening and our best memory of Chicago!

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present Mary Poppins - Broadway's perfectly magical musical - and has launched its North American National Tour in Chicago.  Mary Poppins will play at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through July 12th, 2009, and is Definitely Worth a Trip To Chicago.

The National Tour is headlined by the two Original Broadway Stars, Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee (who originated the role in London) as Bert. The National Tour also features Chicago natives Abigail Droeger (Jane Banks), Michael Gerhart (Ensemble, Von Hussler) and Ann Britt duChateau (Music Director). Mary Poppins is live on stage in Chicago for the first time, ever!

We so enjoyed this musical - there were so many new songs - it is very singable! We got the cd from the London Cast Recording, and have been listening to it ever since. Ashley Brown is magnificent as Mary Poppins - her facial expressions are perfect for the role, and her voice is superb. My favorite, though, is Gavin Lee as Bert. Virtually in every scene, Bert steals the show - especially when he dances - taps - all around the frame of the stage - and even upside down! The cast was incredible, and we had several favorites among the ensemble. There is a new addition from the movie, in the form of George's old nanny, Nanny Andrew. Portrayed by Ellen Harvey, her scenes are quite memorable! Another favorite was Robertson Ay, the underservant, played by Andrew Keenan-Bolger. His very mobile facial expressions were truly something to behold, and made us laugh. Karl Kenzler and Megan Osterhaus shone in their roles as Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Aibigail Droeger and Christopher Flaim were such fun to watch, as Jane and Michael Banks. All of the actors were excellent, however, and the show was just thrilling.

The set was a lovely surprise - 17 Cherry Tree Lane moves out onto the stage and folds up and out, like a pop-up book. At one point, the house rotates and the audience can see the kitchen at the back of the house.  Mary Poppins flies several times around the stage - and even over the audience! There are also park scenes, a crazy bank, and more.  The show clocks in at over 2.5 hours, but we felt that the time flew and wished that the show had been even longer! The musical is a bit different from the movie - with new songs, as aforementioned, and a robust musical environment. Mrs. Corry, from the books (played by Q. Smith) is a fun addition, and she has a gingerbread shop in the park, where the gang can buy Letters - can you guess what word they are going to spell (and then sing)?

There are many new songs in the musical (and the omission of at least one, I Love to Laugh, alas). There were new scenes, including a dreamy scene where the toys come alive and sing to Jane and Michael. There is a new scene - with an Excellent song - where George Banks' old nanny comes back. This song, Brimstone and Treacle, sticks in your mind. Old Nanny Andrews is such a terrific villain, reminiscent of Ursula in the Little Mermaid.  With a great supporting ensemble, each dance was a joy to behold, a blur of colorful costumes and glorious ensemble singing.

Other changes in the musical include a deep look at the Banks' home life - including unemployment, supporting one's partner, and paying more attention to your children. The growth of George Banks to realize how important family is was wonderful to see.  In the park, Mary Poppins turns the statues to life - and there ensues a lovely dancing scene with wonderful "live" statues. The choreography is very creative and such fun to watch.  The costumes were brilliant and very colorful - each one was perfect for its scene. The lighting and stage management also were run very smoothly - from night-time scenes on the rooftop to a windy day, perfect for flying kites (cue song...).

At intermission, we looked at each other in amazement. There was more to come! The audience was electrified by the ending, and surged to their feet as one. We immediately wished we could sit down and see it again. As people were leaving the theater, they conversed in animated voices about their favorite parts. We sat and listened, and concurred.

Our daughter said it was the best thing she'd ever seen. Me, too.

Details:

Mary Poppins was written by Pamela London Travers (P.L. Travers), who was born in Queensland, Australia. She wrote the first stories featuring Mary Poppins while recovering from an illness at her home in Sussex, England, in 1933. She then went on to write 8 Mary Poppins books (which are beloved in our family).

The classic Walt Disney Film, Mary Poppins, was released in 1964 and has captued the imagination and love of millions of viewers.  The movie starred Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as Bert, and garnered 13 Academy Award Nominations (including 5 wins).

MARY POPPINS, a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by Tony® Award winner Bob Crowley, cochoreography by Olivier Award-winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick.

Consistently among the top-grossing shows on Broadway, MARY POPPINS celebrated its two-year anniversary at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Simultaneously, the show’s popularity grows around the globe. Following a successful three-year run (December 2004 - January 2008) at the Prince Edward Theatre on London's West End, a U.K. tour of MARY POPPINS commenced in summer 2008 and is currently performing in Manchester, with additional dates booked in Cardiff through April 2009. MARY POPPINS will later make its Australian debut at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2009.

The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Please note there will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday performances on June 30 and July 7. There will not be 6:30 p.m. Sunday performances on July 12.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $90. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations and a commemorative souvenir program, are also available and range in price from $125 to $150. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-
1400; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online. Tickets are available to groups of 15 or more by calling (312) 977-1710.

Next up, the National Tour will be making stops in Cleveland (July 17th through August 9th), St. Louis (August 13th – 30th), Minneapolis (September 3rd – 20th), Dallas (September 24th – October 18th) and Los Angeles (November 13th – January 9th, 2010).

All photos provided by Disney's Mary Poppins Broadway in Chicago. All rights reserved. Video provided by Disney on Broadway.