MARY POPPINS B'way 2009 Laura Michelle Kelly "Playing the Game"

When the stage version of "Mary Poppins" had its premiere in London in 2004, Laura Michelle Kelly had the title role and the penultimate number in Act One was "Temper, Temper." When "Mary Poppins" opened on Broadway in 2006, "Temper, Temper" was heard in revised form. In 2009, "Temper, Temper" was permanently replaced by "Playing the Game." Laura Michelle Kelly did not open the Broadway production, but she eventually joined the New York cast in late 2009. This gave the original stage Mary her chance to perform the new song, "Playing the Game," with the company. "Temper, Temper" and "Playing the Game" were written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and were among the new songs added for the stage production to the immortal originals by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. "Playing the Game" lyrics below: Playing the game, taking your turn Some children lose, some children learn Treat the toys nicely and Maybe they'll treat you the same Playing the game. Are you feeling any better, Valentine? Much better, thank you. Tempers are frayed Tempers are lost Nobody stops to think of the cost But they tore my arm! Again! Oh dear, Children who lose their temper will lose everything else in the end They're not playing the game, not playing fair Not with the doll, nor with the bear Thrown on the floor and neglected And they were to blame! Playing the game Please tell them Mary Poppins Why don't you tell them? What's going on? What's happened to all the toys?! Make them grow small and get back in their box! Why? You've hurt them and called them names Now it's their turn Summon the toys Now is the time To tell of your woes To tell of their crime (Crime!) (Crime!) Come one, come all Enter the fray They need to hear What you have to say! Those girls and boys Who treat us this way Don't deserve fun So why should we stay? They stamp and shout Create such a fuss They need to learn The value of us! Well? You think you know everything! I couldn't agree more. Jane? They're our toys and we'll do what we like with them, so there! So there, indeed. Playing the game, having a ball Those who won't play, shan't play at all Will we meet again? Maybe when they've learned to play The game.