Oklahoma City welcomes national tour of “Mary Poppins”

By Rick Rogers | Published: November 7, 2012

While Madeline Trumble's portrayal as Mary Poppins is spunky, efficient and disciplined, it's a studied performance that never fully conveys her character's warmth. One also wishes for a more genteel approach that would soften her portrayal. Trumble is fine vocally, with a fluttery vibrato that gives a lilt to “A Spoonful of Sugar” and the aforementioned “Practically Perfect.”

University of Oklahoma grad Con O'Shea-Creal steals the show as the chimneysweep Bert, a recurring character that gently nudges the story along. It's a role O'Shea-Creal was destined to play, with its combination of good-natured fun (marvelously displayed in “Jolly Holiday”), lively tap dancing (“Step In Time”) and boyish charm (“Let's Go Fly a Kite”). He's on a fast track to success.

When the cast joins in on the wildly choreographic “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and the soaring “Anything Can Happen,” that Disney magic reminds you why the appeal of “Mary Poppins” crosses the generations. It's a great tonic for warming your heart.

— Rick Rogers

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