Can you imagine a real-life “pop-up book” or card? Well, the stage set of Mary Poppins is a great example of pop-up stage art. It’s a fabulous concept of Bob Crowley and his able assistants. If you were not able to attend the 11th annual Family Night on Broadway at the Times Union Center for Performing Arts, then you still have 7 other opportunities to observe the magic of this live Disney presentation in the theatre.
There were a lot of fun activities that the Times Union had available for the children (and young at heart) before the show began. Attendees enjoyed getting their pictures taken with Mary and Bert, designing umbrellas, getting paint, glitter & beads applied to their faces or arms, and singing the songs popular to the musical.
The music (some of which was original and some new scores added) is absolutely marvelous and easy to sing-along with those familiar tunes that came from the original movie. Tunes that you may remember are: “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” If you can manage to do the Choreography to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, then please let me know so we can form a dance group. It has more moves than the popular song “YMCA” had developed. The live orchestra enhanced the vocals, stepping and overall experience of the musical.
There is a bit of a twist when the children’s toys come to life that reminds you a little of “Toy Story”. Queen Victoria (Tonya Thompson) was a hoot as she sings, dances and make you think a little of “Alice in Wonderland”. Statues actually come to life in Mary Poppins as they dance and sing.
Was that Mary Poppins actually flying through the air? Madeline Trumble gives Julie Andrews a ‘run for her money’ as she dazzles the audience with her operatic soprano voice. And you don’t want to miss Bert (Con O’Shea-Creal) “Dancing on the Ceiling”. How do they do that? You’ve got to see it for yourself.
You’ll get the chance to see why Mr. Banks was so unbecomingly mean – he had a mean Nanny. Don’t be afraid, Mary Poppins gets rid of her in a “Spit Spot”. The large umbrella that extended from the ceiling and all the stars that revolved around the audience had everyone (mature and young) looking and pointing at them throughout the crowd.
If you don’t think that “Step in Time” could possibly be performed on the stage – think again. It is done to perfection. The chimney sweeps didn’t miss a beat and not one of them fell off a roof or down a stair. The entire cast of Mary Poppins is to be commended on their marvelous delivery of the musical.
You still have time to see:
Mary Poppins
DATES: TIMES:
Tues., January 22, 2013; 7:30 p.m.
Wed., January 23, 2013; 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., January 24, 2013; 7:30 p.m.
Fri., January 25, 2013; 8:00 p.m.
Sat., January 22, 2013; 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sun., January 22, 2013; 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts:
Moran Theater
300 West Water St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
TICKETS: (Vary ) Tickets start as low as $27.00. Restrictions apply. Mary Poppins Family Packs of 4 tickets are available for the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances with passcode: FAMILY. Four tickets in Price level A are $227, Price level B $177, and Price Level C $127, all inclusive of facility fee and service charges. This limited time offer expires at 3PM on January 18th. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Tickets are available at the Artist Series Box Office between 10AM – 5PM, Monday-Friday, with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) and online @ The Artists Series JAX. Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 422-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.
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