MARY POPPINS The Musical

Lindsey Bliven & David Elder

MARY POPPINS The Musical will be playing through January 4^th at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, on its mainstage. This production is a pure delight from start to finish. David Elder, portraying Bert, the Chimney Sweep, begins the show with his enthusiastic rendition of Chim Chim Cher-ee and the fairy-tale wonder just snowballs from its inception point. Elder lights up the stage every time he appears, whether it’s waltzing Mary Poppins around the room, (Jolly Holiday) leading the sweeps in a dramatic tap routine, (Step in Time), or having a discussion with George Banks (Jeffrey Coon), Elder is the ”shooting star” of the show.  Lindsey Bliven, portraying Mary Poppins, is Practically Perfect. Her numerous musical numbers are well delivered both as solos and in harmonies. Her dance routines are well executed. The precision with which an entire ensemble performs the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious piece with her is astounding. Set Designer J. Branson has outdone himself with this set. Enabling the audience to see both the inside and the outside of the Banks’ London home at one time is an incredible feat. Later walls slide to provide a bedroom and later still, a starlit rooftop. The ease at which the set constantly changes, from home, to outside a gated park to inside the  park and back gives the magical moments of the production credibility. For more information or tickets to this enchanting experience, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.