I took Burgoyne to see Mary Poppins at Broadway's magnificent New Amsterdam Theatre and it was incredible! Our seats were amazing. We sat in the seventh row, orchestra center (I know a guy who knows a guy). Burgoyne loved the show and his normally BIG eyes were swollen like Flapjack's (not those kind). The sets were incredible and the amount of wizardry they use (pyrotechnics and optical illusions ) is balanced brilliantly.

I read the SHOWBILL® program cover to cover because it was full of information about the original score by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. The Sherman brothers were Disney stalwarts who wrote "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" for the Carousel of Progress.

My favorite act was "Feed the Birds".

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it,
You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"

I also liked "Brimstone and Treacle".

The SHOWBILL® program also included an article on P.L. Travers who wrote the original book. She was a unique woman and Disney recognized, just like he did with Mary Blair, how the product of her imagination and creativity could benefit the studio.

Some funny notes...

This was on the last page of the SHOWBILL® program.

Concert Etiquette
Writer Paul Volpe takes a satirical look at audience conduct

I shall spare you the lengthy rant about the obvious blight of ringing cell phones or the agony of later arrivals stepping on our toes or that awkward moment when you find your orchestra seats being warmed by sheepish looking third balcony hopefuls. That said, let's review the more obscure yet heinous crimes that might send us fleeing back to our home surround-sound and plasma-screen systems, and far from live performances that require us to be part of a civilized communal experience.

Fanny packs are never acceptable "Performing Arts" accoutrement, save it for the mall.

Never leave a performance before intermission, unless you are injured and bleeding profusely. While you may be "bloody bored," those around you are not.

Labels: disney, weekend