CRITIC’S CORNER: Marriott’s Mary Poppins is simply fantastic

BY ED COLLINS 

It seems the holiday season usually brings out the best in wholesome family entertainment and this year is no exception at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire. 

“Mary Poppins,” the delightfully entertaining musical for both youngsters and adults has charmed both young and old since it opened October 23 at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. The only way to describe it in one word is FANTASTIC! You must see this wonderful performance before it ends its short two month stay in Lincolnshire on January 5, 2014. 

As a 2013 season ticket holder I think it’s the best of all the five terrific presentations Executive Producer Terry James arranged this season beginning with “Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” “ South Pacific,” “ I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” “Nine to Five,” and of course the grand finale “Mary Poppins.” 

The music by Patti Garwood and Choreography by Alex Sanchez is wonderful, the casting and acting superb, the costumes colorful, and the tap dancing brings theater-goers to their feet. 

The character Mary Poppins was born in the fertile mind of English author Pamela Lyndon Travers who wrote eight children’s books in the 1930s through 1950’s featuring the magical flying nanny. 

Travers wrote that it was the East Wind that carried Mary Poppins to the Banks family’s home at 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London to care for the rowdy children living there in spite of having a disciplinarian father who demands order in the household. 

Fortunately, the magical nanny arrives from out of the blue to bring calm and stability to the struggling household. 

After several attempts, Walt Disney gained author’s rights from Ms. Travers to make a musical film in 1964 on the Mary Poppins tales starring Julie Andrews as Mary and Dick Van Dyke in the supporting role of Burt, with music and lyrics by the Sherman Brothers. It was an immediate smash hit and Julie was honored as Best Actress of the Year. 

The Marriott Theater now continues this tradition with an outstanding production featuring Summer Naomi Smart as Mary Poppins, and Bernie Yvon as Burt, her chimney sweep pal. 

Summer, a Salt Lake City native, is a popular and talented Marriott veteran having appeared in “My One an Only,” “Legally Blonde,” “For The Boys,” “Hero,” “A Christmas Carol,” and others. She won a Jeff Award as Best Supporting Actress in a Musical when playing Clara in “The Light in the Piazza.” 

Bernie Yvon is also a Marriott returnee having played roles such as Harold Hill in “The Music Man,” Houdini in “Houdini the Musical,” Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast,” and a host of other productions both here and on Broadway winning several Jeff Awards for his performances. 

I could go on and on about the fine cast, and the wonderful music that Patti Garwood and Orchestra provide that brought back memories such as “A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and of course “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” (whew, hope I spelled that right).  

This is top-notch musical entertainment for the entire family. Don’t miss it. We are so delighted that Producer Terry James dusted off this gem to bring it to Marriott as a finale to a wonderfully entertaining 2013 season.  

We know Mr. James is not the type to rest on his laurels. Indeed here’s what he has planned for us in 2014: He opens with “Cabaret” on January 15, followed by “Cats,” “Godspell,” “On the Town,” and winds up with “The King and I.”  

Now how about that line up for another great Marriott season! Better get your season tickets now by calling 1-800-913-9789 or head on over pronto to the Box Office at the Marriott Theater before it sells out. 

Get local news in a daily email from Patch. It's like getting a free newspaper. Learn more. Then "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.