All Blog Posts (315)

Grace Peterson

Flashdance

Flashdance... What Feeling?…

    If you happen to be bored and in downtown Minneapolis from May 17th to 19th, I implore you to stop by the Orpheum theater. You will see a beautiful sight. Throngs of people clad in leather, tie-dye, mullets, and other various 80's garb will be marching in the doors of the theater. Better yet, buy a ticket, and you'll get to see the fantastic event all these fantastic people have congregated for. Rock of Ages, a snappy, mature, and hilarious musical about finding your true passion in the…

An equally fitting title for Rock of Ages would’ve been That’s-What-She-Said: The Musical. Indeed, the humor and the nature of the show, with it’s G-strings and liberal use of the word “balls”, is anything but high-brow.  You’ve got to suspend disbelief (and to some degree, your moral compass and intelligence) in order to enjoy it. The Les Miserables sect of the Broadway empire need not inquire further, unless if they’re ready to…

Grace Peterson

Mary Poppins

            Mary Poppins, performing at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, April 23-28, is a night of fun combining many of the well-known songs from the movie (plus a few new ones) with the…

Once in a while, you may come across a show that understands that it is a mockery. You may see this show blow the mockery to the sky. And you may be lucky enough to have it work perfectly. Rock of Ages (playing May 17th through the 19th at the Orpheum) is this show. It is a show that understands its complete crassness and attempts to go beyond that, what with the sexual movements peppering every line and the occasional middle finger. It is the story of a young man caught up…

Last night, Lydia and I were in the city to see Tracy Morgan's "Pardon My French". What we saw was Tracy far gone. We were lucky to be there, because another friend of mine couldn't make it. She had planned to sit through the standup sitting beside her father, however, I assured her that would've been death by mortification. Here's why: Mr. Morgan loudly impersonated a female masturbating to Billy Joel.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen of the 30 Rock persuasion, Tracy Morgan was…

     Disney's Mary Poppins, at the Orpheum from April 23 to 28th, tells the heartwarming tale of Mary Poppins (Madeline Trumble), a slightly stuck-up, very magical nanny. She arrives at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Banks (Chris Hoch and Kerry Conte), a financially challenged couple with two unruly children, Jane (Alexa Shae Niziak) and Michael (Eli Tokash) just in time to get them all whipped into spit-spot shape. Often remembered as a whimsical, delighting musical, this sugary show did have…

    On Sunday, April 28, I went to see the Minnesota Varsity Concert at the Fitzgerald Theatre. The concert consisted of teenage acts playing or singing classical music. My friend, Alexandra, was part of the Luna Quartet, so I was mostly there to see her, but I was very interested in the show itself. One very interesting thing about the show was that they showed a short video clip before each act explaining them. I really liked that. I got there a little late and got in just in time to see…

I think they forgot the suger, because all I got from the Mary Poppins musical was brimstone and treacle. I feel everyone up to buying tickets to this beloved classic has heard the story before but for ild times sake I'll jog you memory. The story follows Jane and Michael Banks, two spoiled but lovable little kids on the path to perfect character. The magical nanny Mary Poppins plays their guide, mentor, and protector as they learn one life lesson after another and save their family. All…

                Mary Poppins opened with Bert (who quickly became a favorite) singing a version of my favorite Mary Poppins song, Chim Chim Cher-ee. It then proceeded to tell the story of everyone’s favorite nanny and her adventures with Jane and Michael through wonderlands, with talking statues, and with, of course, tons of magic! It’s a fun show, especially for children and Mary Poppins fans, though I did find a few things I didn’t quite like.

                First off, Mary Poppins…

I very much enjoyed Mary Poppins, I mean it definitely had some flaws but overall I had a very good time. Of course that doesn’t mean I thought it was the best show ever but if its goal was to entertain it defiantly did that.  Mary Poppins was originally a successful series of books written in the 1930s, in the 60's Disney made a movie version and now the Broadway play. Although the basic story is always the same many of the smaller elements changed version to version. Most of the…

On April 23rd, I saw Richard Eyre’s Mary Poppins at the Orpheum Theatre. I found the set impressive, the acting adequate, and the length unfortunate.  

The play opens with a title screen that drops down in front of the stage. It was simple and effective, showing a night sky, skyline, and the title in red. The windows in the houses were translucent, so the blue backlight shone through. A similar charming technique was continued throughout the play using…

I went to go sit through Mary Poppins at the Orpheum, on its opening night. It was a decently sunny Minnesota spring day that night, and I spent most of the show wishing that I could go outside to enjoy it.

The Mary Poppins story (that makes it sound like it’s based on a true story--which it’s not), is about a rich family who cannot get along to save their lives. They have enough money to afford a nanny, a cook, and a…

When, as a small child, I was first shown the movie Disney’s “Mary Poppins” by my mother, I didn’t like it all that much.  I recently was shown it as a teenager, and I quite enjoyed it.  The catchy music was enjoyable, and I thought that the storyline was quite interesting.  Seeing the Broadway musical was something that I was starting to look forward to.  After seeing the musical on stage, my opinion on it is that I much prefer the movie.  Disney’s…

Did you see that title? That's right, you can dare to bring your children along to a theater production! There will be no nudity, very little destruction of innocence and childhood, and altogether shocking amounts of child-appropriate humor! It's almost scandalous!

Joking aside, Mary Poppins was an excellent musical production. The costumes were exciting without being too over-the-top, the acting was realistic, and the props were fascinating. Although we weren't allowed to know how…

Walking into the Orpheum this past Tuesday night it was safe to say that I had very high expectations.  I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen that movie over the past seventeen years and really, once you’ve gone Disney, you can’t go back.  And after a few rough starts, it’s safe to say this show was certainly a spoonful of sugar.

The persona that is Mary Poppins began as the title character in a series of children’s books written by P.L. Travers, beginning in 1934.  It…

Mary Poppins, a whimsical Disney classic, is showing at the Orpheum and it is a show you do not want to miss. Liberties are taken throughout the production, but a fantastic cast, amazing set design and interesting choreography makes up for the blemishes. Broadway Mary Poppins gives an energetic and modern spin to the original movie. The beginning of Mary Poppins filled me with the organic feel I got as a child when I watched the movie but as the play unfolded my feelings began…

Marry Poppins Review

By: Anna Berger

Many memories come to mind when thinking of Marry Poppins. I can still remember the magic from the movie and how thrilling it was. I was initially very excited to review this show. I couldn’t wait to see what it was like performed live. Some of the characters in this production were played by Madeline Trumble as Mary Poppins, Con O’ Shea-Creal as Bert, Chris Hoch as George Banks, Kerry Conte as Winifred Banks, and Alexa Shae Niziak as Jane…

Max Singer 

Mary Poppins

Hokey, Pokey

I found myself, blown by the cold wind, into Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins is the story of the beloved nanny in Victorian England who comes and tries to reform two…