A Poppins' Broadway Review - Mary Poppins on Broadway in Costa Mesa!

[JordieP]

**Excerpt from DisneyExaminer's all-Disney update - the Snippet! To read more about the latest Disney news, be sure to read the complete Snippet today by clicking HERE!**


Poppin' on Broadway!

Mary has landed at Segerstrom Center for a limited stay!

I had the opportunity of going to watch the stage production of Mary Poppins at SoCal’s premier performing arts establishment, Segerstrom Center last Thursday, 7/14.

It was a great show, but I had my concerns, which we’ll get to at a later on. Before I start my review on the show, I did want to review the place where me and my parents had dinner prior to the show itself.

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, located within a venue at the Segerstrom Center, is my recommend place to grab a delicious meal before any show. The menu is simple and revolves around traditional American cuisine, with a hint of asian flare if you ask me. The chef, Ross Pangilinan, is Filipino and his take on American dishes like the dish I had, is simply respectable and stunning.

The Duo of Beef entree. $34.

Yes the place is pricey, but at the end of the day if you want to have a night on the town with anyone, this is the place to feast at before your show. Oh, might as well mention that you get 10% off your total bill if you are watching a show the night you dine. Just show your ticket!

On to the show!

It was opening night for the show, but it was a Thursday and it really wasn’t a packed house…so we moved up some seats (with permission, of course)!

To be totally honest and straightforward, I did find that the first part of the show was a little…boring? It might have well been that we ate just a couple hours prior and that the food was catching up with us, but reflecting afterwards, I would say that acting and new renditions of the song just didn’t click with me. I did quietly whisper away at the ‘ol favorites like “Jolly Holiday (with Mary)”, and “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and that’s what gave it it’s high points throughout.

I really do think the magic really does reveal itself in the second act. As this is a Disney stage production, there had to be some type of magic somewhere! The energy picks up, the acting and dancing moves with each song. I don’t want to spoil this part with you too much as always, but I promise you, you’ll start asking yourself how or just be speechless, especially Bert’s part when they sing “Step in Time”. Pure Disney Magic and Song.

All in all, I did like the show very much. I’d have to say that the Lion King production is still at the top of my all-time favorite Disney Broadway productions, but Mary can join the ranks too.

Like always, I urge you all to be your own judge and see it for yourselves! That’s what I did. And if you think that Broadway plays are pricey too, think again! Disney sent me an email that details some extreme discounts for shows at Segerstrom Center right here in the middle of SoCal in Costa Mesa. Take a look below!

Now you have no excuse to go…seats starting at $15!

Thanks for a magical time, Ms. Poppins!

Mary Poppins will remain at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa until August 7, with shows every Tuesday through Sunday!

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Oh, and just a quick disclaimer and recommendation - DO NOT WATCH the MARY POPPINS MOVIE BEFORE YOU SEE THE STAGE SHOW!! The story has been altered a tad in the stage production, so don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t follow the movie too much.

**END Excerpt from DisneyExaminer's all-Disney update - the Snippet! To read more about the latest Disney news, be sure to read the complete Snippet today by clicking HERE!**

[bodhran105]

Well didn't the movie alter the book a bit too? They always do. And I understand that, while Disney can give some good stage productions (Lion King), I guess they just don't have the ability to help you jump into a sidewalk chalk drawing. And that's O.K. with me, they still put on a good show.

And to tell you the truth, only one of Disney's productions have really hit me, and I think we can all agree on Lion King. But that was with how they blended story with the music, and props/costumes. There's ones only one other, and many know of my obsession with it. And that is of course: Disney's On The Record. I love to say it's the best one Disney has done, but I can't. They tried to put a story in on it, but then it just made it worse as each character got "out of character" to sing the song. It was so strange. If they had simply left it as a musical revue, it would be #1 for what it is, but would still say #2 as a Broadway show. I think there is show much they could have done with it that could have made it #1. And that is why I'd spent so long working on it and another show to make them the best they can be for productions at the theater and in future career.

Back to the women who's practically perfect in every single way. I do love the story they had, and I am going to talk about Step in Time here, but why did they have to make the chimney sweeps like guardians to the kids? It's just strange, creepy, and kind of pedo to tell you the truth. I was fine imagining they are always watching, I feel like it was implied already. It is a great show and I recommend it highly, but I agree: Don't try watching the film before you go, it will kind of ruin the experience. It took me time to try and put the movie in another part of my mind for the night to concentrate on just the play's story.


Thanks for the review! I love reading the site, and cannot wait(!!!!) for more.

[heehee]

I throughly enjoyed this production, it was joyful and witty and not a mistake was made-not one during our performance, it was (yes, I am going to say it) practically perfect in every way. I felt it fun to look for the differences that were bound to pop up between movie to stage, I enjoyed them-much in the same way I enjoy WDW as much as Disneyland as I enjoy each one FOR their differences (well that and a few other reasons!). I encourage any and all Disney lovers out there to see it, you will NOT be disappointed, though I will say that the due to the fact that a lot of the humor is British it made for a bit of a challenge in understanding the jokes, I might even say that it's better understood by adults than children, but that the delightful way Mary's magic unfolds certainly keeps kids engaged. Loved it would see it again!