While it's not "practically perfect in every way," Lyric Theatre takes ticketholders on a "Jolly Holiday" with everyone's favorite nanny with its new production of the song-and-dance spectacular "Mary Poppins."
Although it differs in several ways from the Oscar-winning 1964 movie, the stage show taps into the joyful musicality and whimiscal magic of the classic Disney film, while providing a "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" showcase for a pair of University of Oklahoma graduates who have built successful careers on Broadway and beyond.
The first production of Lyric Theatre's three-show "Summer at the Civic" season, performances of "Mary Poppins" continue through Sunday, June 30 at Civic Center Music Hall.
Here's what to know about Lyric's latest production of "Mary Poppins:"
How does the musical 'Mary Poppins' differ from the movie?
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh , who also co-created the orchestrations, the musical "Mary Poppins" bowed in 2004 on London's West End, becoming a hit and earning two Olivier Awards. The subsequent Broadway production won the 2007 Tony Award for best scenic design of a musical. (The stage show pre-dates the 2018 cinematic sequel "Mary Poppins Returns," so there's no overlap there.)
With its script by Oscar winner Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park," "The Gilded Age" ), the stage version of "Mary Poppins" is adapted from both the groundbreaking Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke as well as the children's book series by P.L. Travers that provides the basis for all tales about the magical, mysterious nanny.
The movie and musical follow the same basic premise. In Edwardian era (early 20th-century) London , an enigmatic and enchanted nanny named Mary Poppins (Grammy-winning OU alumnus Adrianna Hicks in Lyric Theatre's new production) literally flies to the aid of the troubled Banks family: stern banker George (Lyric regular W. Jerome Stevenson ), his wife Winifred (another Lyric favorite, Mandy Jiran ) and their mischievous children Jane (Kaylie Fitzpatrick) and Michael (Parker Ferguson).
Thankfully, several of the movie musical's treasured songs, famously penned by brothers Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, are carried over to the stage show, including "Step in Time," "A Man Has Dreams" and the Oscar-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee."
But many of the familiar numbers have been shifted to different parts of the story and feature characters not included in the film. For instance, Mary Poppins administers her delightful ditty "A Spoonful of Sugar" during a funny sequence in which Jane, Michael and klutzy houseboy Robertson Ay (Tyson Woodard) accidentally wreck the Banks kitchen, alarming overworked housekeeper/cook Mrs. Brill ( Ashley J. Mandanas in another scene-stealing turn), while Mary's signature song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" gets some new lyrics and a new setting inside colorful Mrs. Corry's ( Destyni Newman ) candy-and-conversations shop.
Mary's charming pal Bert the chimney sweep (2013 OU graduate Cory Lingner ) still serenades her with "Jolly Holiday" during an outing at the park, but the film's animated dancing penguins have been replaced with statues that magically come to life, particularly a monument to the Greek mythological figure Neleus (Jesse Higley).
Understandably, the tea party on the ceiling and the admiral's hourly cannon blasts aren't in the stage version of "Mary Poppins," which also alters and expands the background of some of the characters. The family matriarch is no longer a suffragette but a former actress who struggles with making a place for herself in high society and gets a wistful ode in "Being Mrs. Banks."
Mr. Banks' no-nonsense nature is explained by the arrival of his mean former nanny, Miss Andrew (reliably great supporting performer Courtney Crouse ), who punishes her charges with a vile elixir she sings about in her wicked theme "Brimstone and Treacle."
How does Lyric Theatre's new production of 'Mary Poppins' measure up?
The state's official theater has a knack for successfully translating Disney magic to the Civic Center stage, and Lyric Theatre's 2015 staging of "Mary Poppins" proved one of the most successful shows in the Oklahoma City professional theater's six-decade history. It's new "Mary Poppins" casts a lively spell capable of bewitching adults and children alike, although the narrative is slightly disrupted by the omission of the number "Playing the Game."
The production boasts an exceptional cast working at peak levels, including locals like Stevenson , Jiran and Mandanas , who consistently show up and show out for Lyric Theatre and its audiences.
If all Lyric's new production of "Mary Poppins" accomplished was bringing Hicks back to the Civic Center stage, it would be worth cheering. A 2011 OU graduate who has starred on Broadway in "The Color Purple," "Six" and "Some Like It Hot," she's indeed practically perfect as the firm, yet kind nanny with the clever turn of phrase and enchanted accessories. With her stage presence, her gorgeous voice and her fleet feet, she's a joy to watch, and she proved her professionalism and quick wit during the June 25 opening-night show, when her magical hat stand prop refused to stand properly.
Given the cinematic legacy of "Mary Poppins," it's fitting that Hicks gets a practically perfect counterpart in fellow OU alum Lingner , who boasts the requisite charisma, voice and, most importantly, formidable dance skills to play Bert. The charming chimney sweep gets extra duties in the musical, including singing the iconic "Let's Go Fly a Kite" with the Banks children.
Lingner, who earned his Broadway bona fides in “An American In Paris," “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Carousel," handles the role with aplomb.
Directed by Lyn Cramer , OU Weitzenhoffer Endowed Professor of dance, and choreographed by Oklahoma City University artist in residence Vincent Sandoval , it's no surprise that Lyric's "Mary Poppins" trips the light fantastic through every musical number. But they exceed even sky-high expectations with the roof-raising tap dance to "Step in Time."
Flying director Daniel Stover, music director David Andrews Rogers and lighting designer Fabian J. Garcia all do their part to ensure audiences have a jolly good theatrical experience. While stalwart scenic designer Kimberly Powers devises inviting sets for the Banks' home and their Cherry Tree Lane neighborhood, her designs for the park scene where Mary, Bert and the children jump into a painting and the London rooftops where the chimney sweeps frolic seem undersized and underwhelming.
Despite some opening-night mishaps — some microphone glitches, a malfunctioning prop and a few flubbed lines — the June 25 performance marked a welcome return for "Mary Poppins."
'MARY POPPINS'
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'Mary Poppins' makes welcome return to OKC with lively new staging of the Disney musical
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