Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Over Easter break, I had the chance to see Mary Poppins at the Cadillac Theater in downtown Chicago, direct from Broadway.

After taking the mandatory pictures in front of the billboard out front with my younger sisters, we went in and were escorted to our main floor seats. And then... the curtain went up, and I could not stop smiling until the show ended two hours later. My youngest sister sat perched on the edge of her seat the entire show...

Phenomenal! Where to start? Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins (she originated the role on Broadway) was fantastic and "Practically Perfect" (hence the song). What a voice, what an actress, what a tap dancer. Her version of Mary Poppins was just how I imagined Mary Poppins to be. And Gavin Lee as Bert (original West End AND Broadway Bert), was stunningly good. What a demanding part- he danced for almost the full two hours. He was a wonderful Bert and so flexible and entergetic. The highlight of the show would have to be when he tap danced UPSIDE DOWN on the ceiling of the proscenium stage, while singing and holding his arms out.

The very important Banks children (Christopher Flaim and Aida Neitenbach the night I saw it) were very impressive and were onstage almost as much as Mary Poppins. Demanding parts for the very adorable and young-looking kids, but they handled everything like a pro, despite their young age. Not to mention their great acting chops and singing voices.

Speaking of special effects, those were amazing. There was, of course, lots of flying done by Mary Poppins, and she flew over the entire audience and into the balcony during curtain call. There was the tap-dancing upside down, the giant umbrella that came down from the ceiling and covered the entire stage, and all of Mary Poppins usual magic tricks-- sliding up banisters, popping out of chimneys, clapping to make beds appear, and pulling plants and lamps and tables out of that ever-famous carpet bag.

The set was fantastic, esp. since it's a touring show. The Banks house was a like a pop-up story book, the house "unfolded" to reveal multiple floors and a grand staircase. The set was constantly changing and the sets pieces all flew in from above.

Every scene in the show kept getting better and better and more exciting, from "Jolly Holiday," to "Supercalifradulistic," to "Step in Time." Wow!

What a show, what a cast, what an experience!