It’s going to take more than a spoonful of sugar to sweeten the ornery characters in the touring production of “Mary Poppins,” currently in production at the Opera House.
If you’re expecting to see the sweet, lovable bunch from the classic 1964 film come to life onstage, you’re in for a surprise. Mary’s a bit caustic, Mr. Banks is a miserable tyrant and the children make the prepubescent miscreants on television’s “Nanny 911” look like little angels.
They’ve even added a Cruella de Vil-like nanny named Miss Andrew who bullies the family into submission after Mary abandons them the first time.
With the exception of visible wires during Bert’s less-than-mysterious walk across the ceiling, the nearly three-hour production is flawlessly executed.
Steffanie Leigh is sheer perfection as Mary Poppins. Her stunning vocals and complete physical embodiment of the world’s most famous nanny are wonderfully reminiscent of her celluloid counterpart.
Blythe Wilson is touching as the long-suffering Mrs. Banks and Janet MacEwan will put a lump in your throat with her stunning delivery of “Feed the Birds.” As Bert, Nicolas Dromard exudes enough charm to reach the rafters.
With a big finish that includes a rousing rendition of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and a stunning departure by Mary, you might just forget how dark and irritating this show can be. And if you’ve never seen the film, you might not even notice.
