A sensation in London, the new musical began previews at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre Oct. 14. Brown, who stars in the role immortalized on screen by Academy Award winner Julie Andrews, plays opposite Gavin Lee as Bert, a role he created for the London production.
A few technical glitches have been reported during previews of the Broadway musical. The most notable occurred Oct. 25 when the mechanized Banks house set came to a halt about ten minutes into Act Two. Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney's theatrical division, announced a brief intermission so the problem could be explored, but the remainder of the performance was eventually canceled. No other performances have been canceled.
The New York company also boasts Daniel Jenkins as Mr. Banks and Rebecca Luker as Mrs. Banks with Jane Carr (Mrs. Brill), Mark Price (Robertson Ay), Cass Morgan (Bird Woman), Ruth Gottschall (Miss Andrew, Queen Victoria, Miss Smythe) and Michael McCarty (Admiral Boom, Bank Chairman). Katherine Doherty, Kathryn Faughnan and Delaney Moro alternate in the role of Jane Banks, while Matthew Gumley, Henry Hodges and Alexander Scheitinger alternate in the role of Michael Banks.
The Mary Poppins ensemble comprises Eric B. Anthony, Ann Arvia, Pam Bradley, Kristin Carbone, Brian Collier, Nick Corley, Case Dillard, Nicolas Dromard, James Hindman, Suzanne Hylenski, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Matt Loehr, Michelle Lookadoo, Tony Mansker, Tyler Maynard, Sean McCourt, Vasthy E. Mompoint, Jesse Nager, Kathleen Nanni, Megan Osterhaus, Janelle Anne Robinson, Rommy Sandhu, Shekitra Starke, Catherine Walker and Kevin Samual Yee.
Richard Eyre directs Mary Poppins, which is based on P.L. Travers' original stories and the 1964 Disney film. The musical features choreography and co-direction by Matthew Bourne and boasts original songs from the film — with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman — as well as new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Julian Fellowes wrote the book. The musical also features set and costume design by Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Steve C. Kennedy, orchestrations by William David Brohn, musical direction by Brad Haak and musical supervision by David Caddick.
Ashley Brown recently starred as Belle in the Broadway company of Beauty and the Beast, and she was also part of the cast of the tour of Disney's On the Record. Brown received her BFA in musical theatre from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She has appeared in productions of Candide, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Violet, Sweeney Todd, Meet Me in St. Louis, Guys and Dolls, Side by Side by Sondheim and Crazy for You. Brown, who can be heard on the new cast recording for On the Record, is also the recipient of the Laurie Beechman Award.
Gavin Lee created the role of Bert for the London production of Mary Poppins, receiving an Olivier Award nomination for his performance. His London theatre credits also include Peggy Sue Got Married, Contact, Oklahoma!, Saturday Night, Crazy for You and Me and My Girl. He was also seen in the films "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Beyond the Sea." Mary Poppins will mark his Broadway debut.
Rebecca Luker was most recently on The Great White Way in the Tony-winning revival of Nine. She starred opposite Craig Bierko in the acclaimed revival of The Music Man, garnering Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for her role as Marian. Luker also appeared with Michael Cerveris and Judy Kuhn in the Kennedy Center production of Stephen Sondheim's Passion, and her other theatrical credits include roles in The Sound of Music, Show Boat, The Secret Garden and The Phantom of the Opera. Luker will also be seen Off-Broadway this summer in the Primary Stages world premiere of A.R. Gurney's Indian Blood.
Daniel Jenkins starred as Huck in the original Broadway production of Big River, earning a Tony nomination for his performance, and as Mark Twain in the revival of that musical. He also appeared on Broadway in Wrong Mountain, Big and Angels in America and Off-Broadway in Pajama Game, Spinning Into Butter, Dream True, Maiden's Prayer, Triumph of Love and Johnny Pye. Jenkins' screen credits include "Cradle Will Rock," "In Country," "Five Corners," "Tanner '88," "Caine Mutiny," "O.C. and Stiggs," "Law & Order," "Cracker" and "Going to Extremes."
Jane Carr has been seen on Broadway in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby and A Small Family Business.
Mark Price's Main Stem credits include All Shook Up; Wonderful Town; Dance of the Vampires; Mamma Mia!; The Rocky Horror Show; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Capeman; and Chicago.
Cass Morgan was on Broadway earlier this season in Ring of Fire. She has also been seen on Broadway in The Capeman, Beauty and the Beast, The Human Comedy and Pump Boys and Dinettes.
Ruth Gottschall's Broadway credits include Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only, The Music Man, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Goodbye Girl, Prince of Central Park, Legs Diamond, Cabaret and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Michael McCarty has performed on Broadway in Oklahoma!, 42nd Street, Sweeney Todd, Teddy & Alice, Big River, Oliver!, Amadeus and King of Hearts.
Mary Poppins will play Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8 PM, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.
For more information visit www.marypoppins.com.
