My overall impression
Mary Poppins is a BUTTERFLY at Art|Works Theatre
by Ashley Steed~
Famed author of the Mary Poppins children’s books P.L. Travers often said “thinking is linking.” Meaning that everything is connected, no matter how tenuous the connections may seem. Writer and performer Suzan Averitt has taken this concept, linking Mary Poppins with the Virgin Mary, sexuality with spirituality, the comical with the serious. Averitt plays a delightfully charming and perceptive young girl named Mary who shares with us the way she sees the world and the way she sees the connections.
Hanging white strips of fabric serve as a discombobulated projection screen as well as a doctor’s office with a metal table. The images and video projected support as well as juxtapose the themes and ideas that Mary rambles on about. The weakest part of the production is the voiceovers. Their purpose isn’t fully realized and don’t add anything to the piece.
Jeff G. Peters’s direction is simple and light, allowing Averitt’s unique storytelling to shine. Her characterization of the little girl is what keeps us invested – there’s a delicate balance when playing a kid and Averitt does it with honest and comedic precision. Her writing is poetic, provocative, deep and funny. Although, at times, the connections aren’t clear (which is probably the point) this short piece is definitely a unique experience.
This is the only performance for HFF. I hope that Ms. Averitt et al. will continue to develop the piece for future showings.
http://www.latheatrereview.com/2010/06/20/fringe-day-four-sunday-june-20/
