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Last weekend, we had the opportunity to see Mary Poppins on Broadway, for it’s 5 year Anniversary. Not only that, but we were able to go backstage and check out some amazing props from other Disney shows, like The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Aida, and Beauty and the Beast. OK, nerd alert? Totally have seen them all, with the exception of Tarzan, LOL. Aida is one of my all time favorite shows, ever-ever, and I nearly had a heart attack standing backstage.
Did I mention I was a total Broadway lover and geek? OK, well, so what? And I am raising one to boot! My son, age 4, loves the theater, and sits rapt through shows, then listens to the CDs and learns them by heart. This wonderful experience was not one either of us will be forgetting, especially since he got to touch the props themselves!
Disney Theatrical’s VP of Operations Dana Amendola gave us all a backstage tour, and told us a bit about the history of the New Amsterdam Theater- by the way, when you go, see if you can find the hidden Micky Mouse! LOL There is a ghost of one of the original Ziegfeld Follies stars, Olive Thomas who resides there and will only show herself to men. The cure for this phenomenon was to only hire female security guards, since Olive was scaring all the men off, LOL. There is also a “listening post”, where critics could be listened to during the intermission of shows. If they didn’t seem to like what they were seeing, then they were invited up to have a drink with a Ziegfield girl after the show. I bet that changed quite a few minds! Ah, men. So easy to manipulate, LOL.
There were also these beautiful ornamental light fixtures, that were re-created by using descriptions from old diaries and journals. Women would write in great detail of their theater visits, and when the time came to re-construct and renovate the New Amsterdam, nothing was held back. The above was what was created from the descriptions- and right before the show opened, they found one of the original light fixtures, with lights and all still working- buried in a wall! Here was what it looked like-
Not bad, right? So close! And how cool, don’t you just love that story? They very quickly had a new batch made, replicating the newly-discovered old fixture, just in time for the re-opening.
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| Another Quite Famous Lady of the Theater! |
These lovely and ornate carvings are found everywhere you look in the theater- many based on Shakespeare’s plays. Right now, if you go see Mary Poppins, you can get the added perk of being able to see all this for yourself as well! Any donation of $150 or more at the show for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will get you a backstage pass and a meet and greet with cast members. This wonderful organization helps AIDS causes nationwide, and is a great way to give to others this holiday season.
Mary Poppins, being shown in the New Amsterdam theater in New York, as well as being on tour and in Australia, is a really fun and cute show. It is nothing at all like the movie- so don’t go thinking it will be! Being a fan of musical theater, I am a fan of Julie Andrews (the original Mary Poppins) so you can say I have seen the movie a few times, hahah. To me, it was sooooo odd- it was like a “loose translation” of the movie. It was fun, family friendly, and the acting was wonderful- but it was not the Mary Poppins I know. Have you ever seen a movie after you read the book? You loved the book, but the movie was so very different? That is kind of how I felt here. However, my son (who has not seen the movie in over a year, remember- he is only 4!) and husband, who had never seen the movie at all, had no expectations and loved it. The show was wonderful and I would recommend it- just know that the story is a bit different.
The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere in 2006. MARY POPPINS is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still running. The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony
What a cool and beautiful theater! I loved reading all the history behind it. Thanks for your thorough review!
My daughter loves the theater! She would probably wish you were her neighbor so she could tag along to all these wonderful productions you go to!
I recently saw a Broadway Across America production of Mary Poppins in San Antonio. I too am a theater lover. I grew up in theater, studied it in college, and have written many critiques of performances. I should have written a post about the production we saw but I never did.
The play was more based on the book than on the Disney movie, but they tried to keep too many aspects from the movie in the play and this made the show feel kind of disjointed. There were some stellar scenes, but the children playing Jane and Michael were terrible. My husband and I couldn’t understand what they were saying 80% of the time.
I’m glad your little guy had a great time. It sounds like he and my son would get along so well. My guy is 4 too and LOVES the theater.
How fun! I’ve never been to a Broadway show but would love to go to one.
Wow – I’m jealous! I love Mary Poppins. It sounds like you had a great time! 🙂
I love Mary Poppins!
What a wonderful experience! I wish I could take my boys to see Mary Poppins 🙂
Looks like a blast! Wish we had stuff like that close by, I have never been to a broadway anything! LOL! I’d love to though! My daughter would love it!
So cool! Looks like you all had a fun time 🙂
The theatre alone loks amazing. The show sounds great as well!
I love the theatre, we went to see this in London and it was fantastic, soo jealous though Id love to see it again x
Love this movie its my favorite. I stumbleupon this post. Wish I could have gone and I live in NYC but $$ is tight.
Oh, my daughter and I love Mary Poppins- We watch always every chance we get. I would love to see in live. Thanks for sharing this. It looks you all had a fun time.
I love Mary Poppins! I imagine it is absolutely amazing on Broadway! I am so jealous!
What an experience!! Thanks so much for sharing it all with us!!!!
I remember watching this movie with my mom as a kid!!! I just LOVE it 🙂
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I think it is great that your son is showing an interest in theater. He’s a cutie!
It looks like it was so much fun to go. I once went to see Annie at the Pantages(sp?) theater in Los Angeles with my dram class in Jr.High. We were more interested in the set decorations than watching the play.
Wow that looks like an amazing time! You are so lucky!
it sounds amazing
i love all the pictures you took
This sounds like so much fun. I would love the backstage tour as much as the show.
The magic of theater and Mary Poppins. Can it get any better than that? Some day I’m making it to New York to see a show in the theater.
I think that it’s cool that you and little man enjoy the theater together. I have seen Mary Poppins a zillion times. Loved it! Maybe I would dig this or perhaps I would feel like you did.
I believe in magic too!
Sure wish I could have been there..thanks for the vicarious showing 🙂