New York City is home to the greatest things in the country. The best food, the best sports, the best people and certainly, the best entertainment. Located at the center of the crossroads to the world is the New Amsterdam Theatre. Since 2006 the stage adaption of the famous movie about the nanny that flies has been playing here. Over 2000 performances down and over 6 million people mesmerized. What show may I be referring to? Mary Poppins.

The musical is an adaption of the award winning classic Disney film. In 1964 famed actress Julie Andrews took on the role of the practically perfect nanny named Mary, Mary Poppins. This movie became an instant smash hit. Fast-forward 42 years later and Disney Theatrical decides to adapt this classic for the stage.

I entered the theatre with a good feeling– how could anything that had Disney involved not be good? I was mostly right. The musical began with a fairly well executed overture and a scrim [curtain that is lit from the front to appear opaque and then lit from the rear to appear transparent]. The first few scenes focused around the daily routine of the Banks household. Nine and Eleven year old siblings Michael and Jane Banks are portrayed by rotating sets of kids. At the performance I attended I saw Jeremiah Kissane and Cassady Leonard. Additionally, Megan Osterhaus who plays Mrs. Banks and Karl Kenzler who plays Mr. Banks are also both vocal standouts.

The show moved slowly until Mary made her first flight at the conclusion of Act I. I was only partially entertained; the Mary that I saw (Steffanie Leigh) had just okay vocals. Additionally, the leading lady’s dialect sounded more American than British. Aside from Mary’s flaws, Bert [Gavin Lee] had a wonderful presence and a magnificent voice. Also, the show highlighted the banks house teen busboy who was portrayed by Andrew Keenan Bolger. You can see Andrew as Crutchie in another Disney theatrical show: Newsies. Andrew had a great comedic timing and was a awesome addition to this event.

From the unbelievably remarkable Tony nominated set to the amazing costumes, some may say Mary Poppins has it all. I think that they are 80% there and that they don’t quite make the complete Broadway expectations of a true theater buff. This show that has been running since November 2006 has sure got a lot that they should be proud of but may only entertain a narrow age range. Mary Poppins is currently playing at the Disney licensed New Amsterdam Theatre 8 times a week. Catch this high-flying extravaganza today!