Mary Poppins (2005 Original London Cast) [CAST RECORDING] [SOUNDTRACK]

Richard M. Sherman (Composer), Robert B. Sherman (Composer), George Stiles (Composer), Alan Vicary (Performer), Charlotte Spencer (Performer), Claire Machin (Performer), David Haig (Performer), Gavin Lee (Performer), Gerard Casey (Performer), Harry Stout (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Alan Vicary, Charlotte Spencer, Claire Machin, David Haig, Gavin Lee, et al.
• Composer: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles
• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B000AOF9NY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,330 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Mary Poppins may be one of the most beloved film musicals of all time, but it took 30 long years for it to transfer to the stage. This recording of the original London cast shows the wait was worthwhile though. The new version mixes in elements from both the original books by P.L. Travers (which she started publishing in 1934) and the Disney movie starring Julie Andrews, from 1964. (Mary seems to take 30 years to do anything.) Most of the original songs by brothers Richard and Robert Sherman (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) are present--Mary Poppins is so associated with "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "A Spoonful of Sugar," and "Chim Chim Cher-ee," her Oscar-winning duet with Bert, that starting from scratch would have been unthinkable. But then George Stiles and Anthony Drewe came in and dusted off some of these songs, and wrote entirely new numbers as well. Miraculous, these are wonderful and blend in seamlessly with the 1960s tunes, thanks in no small to William David Brohn's lovely orchestrations. As the titular super-nanny, Laura Michelle Kelly is so warm and scrumptious that she might as well be referring to herself when she sings "I'm practically perfect in every way." The rest of the cast is equally adept, making this Mary Poppins sweet but not treacly, and the rare show to upstage its source. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pratically PERFECT musical-, November 26, 2005

By	ilovemydog "Kimmie- A" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This C.D. is more than worth it's pricetag- I was lucky enough to see the show in London's West End when I was in London. The show in short is AMAZING- it's a show that brings ADULTs and kids to their feets and makes you leave the theater believing that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Based on the classic movie- the show has only ehanced those classic songs/feelings captured in the movie- with the addition of many more adventures. The songs added fit perfectly among the Sherman brothers orginal ones and the cast in SUPER.

Laura Michelle Kelly is MARY POPPINS- much more than a look-a-like but captures the whole spirit or what Mary Poppins is. David Haig is perfectly cast as George Banks and unlike the movie has more depth about his sterness. But, my favorite cast member is Gavin Lee who IS Bert- possibly better than Dick Van Dyke- in the show singing and dancing upside down. And has an increadiable voice to match all that talent!

My favorite new songs would have to be "Anything Can Happen" and the newly refurbished "Step In Time." After listening to this C.D. you'll find yourself believing "Anything Can Happen If You Let It." I can't wait- until this magical show casts it's spell on Broadway! Broadway or Mary Poppins fan or Disney fans must have this recording in their collections! Hit the buy now button and let yourself be charmed by Mary Poppins as well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mary Poppins is Super-cali-fragi-listic-expi-ali-docious !!!, January 26, 2006

By	Gucci Luvr - See all my reviews

I heard the Mary Poppins was making it's way to Broadway and taking over the Lion King's theater (The Lion King is moving to another theater, not closing) I knew it had to be amazing so I bought the cast album and I am extremly happy with my purchase.

Not only are the original Mary Poppins songs from the movie in the show, new, extended versions of old ones and better ones are.
standouts include:
Cherry Tree Lane Part 1
The Perfect Nanny
Cherry Tree Lane Part 2
Practically Perfect
Jolly Holiday
Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise)
Being Mrs. Banks
A Spoonful of Sugar
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Temper, Temper
Chim Chim Cher-Ee (Rooftop Duet)
Brimstone and Treacle
Let's Go Fly a Kite
Step in Time
Anything Can Happen

The story is has also been altered from the movie to incorporate things from the seven original Mary Poppins books.

Although this show is produced by disney it isn't a disney musical. This recording is wonderful and so full of music and lyrics that inspire those emotion and memories of being a child. Buy it!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical recording!, April 21, 2005

By	P. Morris "Peter" (the UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mary Poppins (Original London Cast 2005) (Audio CD)

Putting a much-loved film such as Mary Poppins on stage was never going to be an easy task: re-writing much of the plot and adding new songs to the score sounds like a disaster in waiting.

However, the show and this cast recording dispel any such worries. From the overture onwards, the whole show is beautifully performed and orchestrated. Laura Michelle Kelly manages to convey both patience and authority, making the title role tougher and closer to the books, rather than the sugar-coated Disney film. However, she almost has her thunder stolen by an energetic Gavin Lee as Bert (with a rather more authentic accent than Dick van Dyke) who brightens up any song he's in - even the rather dull Jolly Holiday!
David Haig, Linzi Hatley and Rosemary Ashe (as Mr & Mrs Banks and Miss Andrew respectively) all provide excellent support, and the featured children thankfully manage to tread the line between sweet and sickly perfectly.

Stiles and Drewe have cleverly written extensions to many of the pre-existing songs that often improve on the originals (Step in Time and Supercali... especially), as well as a number of new songs which blend seamlessly into the score: from the pompous opening, 'Cherry Tree Lane', the buoyant 'Practically Perfect', and the perfect finale 'Anything Can Happen'.

Add to this the wonderful audio production and the comprehensive booklet packed with lyrics and photos, and you have a cast album that won't leave your CD player for weeks!