Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...So you and your family will be fine for a holiday outing (and yes, Mary flies very nicely). Playing comic foils, Sawyer Smith and Catherine Smitko are very funny. And, if you are a fan of show tunes and their interpretation, you really should hear Smitko and Lynn combine vocally on "Feed the Birds." The result is rich pleasure, indeed."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge’s Drury Lane staging sticks closely to Disney’s sensibility. Her cast hits their marks with practically perfect efficiency. Emilie Lynn’s Mary Poppins has a crystalline soprano and chipper demeanor. James T. Lane’s fluid grace and insouciant charm make for a bashfully adorable Bert, the jack-of-all-trades who is Mary’s sidekick. As the Birdwoman, Catherine Smitko brings a cathedral-worthy alto to “Feed the Birds,” a number of soaring reverence. She’s double-cast as the put-upon housekeeper Mrs. Brill, whose deadpan imperiousness is a comic highlight."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Shrewd and imaginative, Dodge's direction reflects wit and an eye for detail. Note the flash of emerald that accompanies Mary Poppins' arrival, the statues of characters from children's literature, and the birdlike choreography Dodge and co-choreographer Josh Walden incorporate into "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," an exuberant number that comes moments after the poignant "Feed the Birds" duet. No coincidence there, I suspect. Dodge seems to be making the point that the birds the old woman fed blossomed. Why wouldn't they? Creatures respond to compassion and love."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Drury Lane Theatre brings an old Disney favorite for the holiday season filled with magic, imagination, and a "Practically Perfect" personality adjustment nanny every household needs. Mary Poppins is based on the Award-winning Academy film of the same name. It's a magical mixed blend between the 1964 film that starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and the children's books by P. L. Travers."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Songs in the show are "Practically Perfect", "Jolly Holiday" ( this is a powerful number with statues coming alive that will amze your little ones), "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Feed The Birds", of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", "Chim-Chim-Cher-ee", "Let's Go Fly A Kite", "Step In Time" ( a dance number that will make you want to dance with the sweeps), "Anything Can Happen" and so much more. A true musical experience and Drury Lane has hit their mark!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...This is a stellar, creatively impressive production of a beloved Disney classic that all of Chicagoland will be lining up to see. It surpasses all expectations, in an inventive, literary-inspired production, directed and choreographed to perfection by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. She’s created a show filled with striking spectacle, magical musical numbers and overflowing with heart and humanity. An array of talented artists, both on and off the stage, are the soul of this presentation. Besides being an entertainment for the entire family, “that Poppins woman” reminds theatergoers of some very important life lessons, as well. Drury Lane Theatre has, once again, outdone itself, mounting a stunning holiday stocking stuffed to the brim with joy and love that’s practically perfect in every way."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...“Mary Poppins” really is a children’s show for all its expensive production values. But the production does run more than 2½ hours including one intermission. The 8 p.m. curtain time on opening night was delayed almost 20 minutes, so the audience didn’t finally exit the theater until near 11 p.m., a possible challenge for pre-teen spectators. But I sat with kids around me and I didn’t hear a peep out of them from overture to final blackout, indicating their attention span wasn’t tested. And that may be the ultimate validation of the success of this musical. I just wish the first 90 minutes of the show were more absorbing."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...The timeless music of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with new songs and lyrics by George Stile and Anthony Drewe leave the audience singing and humming on the way home. It’s a particularly enjoyable, albeit long performance for the little ones who will love being in the audience. Take some time and some friends and family and head to Drury Lane this Christmas season."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...You will absolutely love this Mary Poppins. I know I did, and the audience couldn’t get enough cheering in when it was over. The lovely final image of Mary flying away for the last time while the united Banks family frolics in the park really got to me even though I, like any Poppins-phile, knew it would be coming. This is a loving, beautiful play, and I sincerely hope that everyone gets to see it."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...The beauty of Mary Poppins is in the inspired score and magic to be done, from a brilliant bottomless satchel-courtesy of illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer-to the park statues that come to life. It's all up to Mary Poppins to make the magic happen, and the glistening Lynn, who teams beautifully with the charming and spirited Lane, makes all manner of surprise seem effortless."
