Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...One was to step up in the special effects department and provide their loyal audience with a better climax to the show than their cheesy little mini-digital Mary flying around the screens, which looks simply pathetic. Your iPhone could do better. Sure, there would have been technical challenges to getting the gal up in the air but it's the first made-in-Chicago production of "Mary Poppins," for goodness sake, at one of our most distinguished theaters, from whom much is expected. There were ways. As Mary might say, anything can happen if you let it. Heck, you won't know a challenge until you've met it, oh Marriott in Lincolnshire, which should not be drifting on autopilot."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Among the countless delights of director Gary Griffin’s production of “Mary Poppins” — which opened Wednesday at the Marriott Theatre, and should easily become THE hot ticket of the holiday season — is the way he has so subtly but skillfully un-Disneyized this stage version of the classic film."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...And yet stripping away all the big-budget razzle-dazzle also lays bare a weakness of the adaptation. In translating another 1960s Disney flick with a Sherman Brothers score earlier this year, director Mary Zimmerman added little music to The Jungle Book that didn't appear in the film—which made it feel onstage like a musical with too few numbers. Poppins takes the more Andrew Lloyd Webber–like tack of filling out the score by repeating the same familiar melodies over and over. (Cameron Mackintosh, the megaproducer behind Lloyd Webber's Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, is credited as a co-creator.) By the umpteenth reprise of "A Spoonful of Sugar," you may be feeling a sugar crash."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Mary Poppins is still a wonderful experience for young and old alike. My favorite parts of this production is the park scene with "It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary" and of course the chimney sweep scene with "Step in Time", both were expertly choreographed and danced by a wonderful cast. Alex Sanchez's choreography was absolutely amazing and brought a lot of energy to this wonderful show. The voices and the music direction by Michael Mahler were very tight and well blended, creating a beautiful musical experience. With Mary Poppins appearing through the holidays, it is truly a treat for the entire family. Therefore, Mary Poppins is still SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALADOCIOUS!!!!!!!!!!"
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...But the terrific tunes and the thrilling performance by Summer Naomi Smart- who is “practically perfect” in every way make this production a major hit for Marriott Theatre. But, to this reporter, Bernie Yvon was the ultimate star of the production as he narrates the show, keeps the spirit up with his winning smile. Yvon leads the thrilling tap number show stopper “Step in Time.” Yvon deftly guides us through the wonderful world of Mary Poppins as he proves that indeed ‘Anything Can Happen’ if your willing to let it. It sure does happen at Marriott Theatre. Mary Poppins is one of the finest productions in years at Marriott Theatre. It is a wonderful family and holiday show."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Lots of magical , musical moments ( original music from the film and new songs with music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Remember, this was a Broadway production that came to Chicago several years ago. I must tell you, this production, in this intimate space, without Mary flying over the audience is a far better one, visually and in total. from start to finish, Bert is our leader, telling us the tale from his dusty old tome, this production should be on your MUST SEE list for the holidays."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...From P.L. Travers' imaginative series of books, to Walt Disney's 1964 classic Oscar-winning film, to producer Cameron Mackintosh's Olivier Award-winning West End production that transferred to Broadway for a seven-year run in 2006, "Mary Poppins" has always been about magic. While Chicago's first regional professional production lacks many of the technical effects found in the original and touring shows, this is a more intimate production that's less about special effects, but still filled with magic of all kinds."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...The Marriott production will especially entertain audiences who aren’t familiar either with the movie or the stage version and so won’t note the comparative modest creativity of the visual effects. But even by opening night audience lenient standards, the first nighters loved the show anchored in Smart’s starring performance. Perhaps the Marriott artistic brain trust should have scrapped the original high tech concept and gone for a more intimate approach that would have given the show a special Marriott stamp rather than attempting to match the whiz bang of the Hollywood and Broadway versions. But what’s on offer in Lincolnshire through the end of the year should still make lots of playgoers of assorted ages very happy."