Bway's Mary Poppins?

[Princeton78]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 11:01pm

Ok...so It just opened in London to huge success. You know it's coming to NY and you know you want to see it. If Laura Michelle Kelly for some reason does not choose to come to Broadway, who should be Mary? My vote immediatley goes to Laura Benanti. The voice, the look, the somewhat chilly/humorous delivery. I think she'd be perfect. The performance would have Tony written all over it. I just wonder if she'd do something so commercial. Hmmm....

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 11:03pm

SOMEWHAT chilly?!> Compared to WHO??? Jack Frost??

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 11:04pm

Laura Benanti

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:55am

Carol Channing.

(Although that is not to be taken seriously, I always had wanted to hear her sing "Feed the Birds")

[notsovirginmary]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 1:10am

Stephanie D'Abruzzo has listed Mary as a dream role numerous times. It took my awhile to warm up to the idea, but I actually think that she would be excellent.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 1:18am

I could not see that happening at all. My vote goes to Harvey Fierstein.

[taboofreak!]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 6:35am

No Laure has to do it. You should see ehr perform. She is the Mary Poppins of the 21st century. You can her her singing as mary if you visit my site : http://groups.msn.com/marypoppinsthemusical

[timote316]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 7:49am

Stephanie just could work... hm...

Although, I'd be willing to bet that Laura Michelle Kelly would bring it over.

[J-Pill]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 7:58am

From seeing Avenue Q and having the OBCR, I would say Stephanie D'Abruzzo would be wonderful. I'm pushing for her.
Don't know much about this Benati woman.

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 8:38am

IDINA MENZEL

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:14pm

While I have only seen a little by Laura Michelle, I find both Laura's to be very cold onstage. While Mary Poppins does have that slight outer chilly exterior, she is really just covering up a very warm heart. There has got to be warmth there or you don't care. Anyway...I know this is just my opinion and I am no one. It will be interesting to see how the production changes when/if it makes its way over the sea.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:14pm

While I have only seen a little by Laura Michelle, I find both Lauras (Kelly and Benanti) to be very cold onstage. While Mary Poppins does have that slight outer chilly exterior, she is really just covering up a very warm heart. There has got to be warmth there or you don't care. I vote for someone like Kelly O'Hara or Jennifer Hope Wills (both convey such a wonderful warmth and they would both sound amazing singing that music.) Perhaps there is a total unknown that would be just righ. Anyway...I know this is just my opinion and I am no one. It will be interesting to see how the production changes when/if it makes its way over the sea. Updated On: 12/20/04 at 12:14 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:19pm

Not to get all nationalistic on everybody, but I really hope they cast an American actress in this role. No offense to Miss Kelly, but do we really need to import an actress when we have the likes of Ms. Benanti and Melissa Errico and Kelli O'Hara.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:24pm

Import an actress? So only american actors should be on broadway, and European actors should only perform in London. I got it!

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I really hated LMK's performance in FIDDLER, but from what I've seen, she's REMARKABLE in the role. I hope she comes to NY in the role - as they say, Cameron Mackintosh usually insists that his stars create the role on Broadway as well.

I'm still getting over your "import" comment....wow...

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:31pm

Get over it. Really.

Unlike Lea Solonga or Michael Crawford, I don't believe this role is 'uncastable' and necessitates Ms. Kelly's venturing over here. Perhaps the reason she did FIDDLER (did we really need a Brit to play Hodel? What? There were no young American actresses who could play the role?) was to establish herself on these shores in hopes of bringing MP over here.

Also, some of the reviews aren't as enchanted by her as you seem to be.

Have you not noticed that there is a bartering system between the two Equities (British and American)? Tit for tat, as they say. I, for one, hope that one of our American stars who are more than capable (some of whom are ideal) are allowed to open this show.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:41pm

Absolutely NO role is "uncastable," especially the ones you listed. Some of the most brilliant performances I've seen on stage are by foreign actors - thank god those casting directors don't have the same mindset as you.

Obviously, there is a bartering system between the two equities, but I have no idea what that point has to do with what you're trying to say.

And as far as you thinking that the ONLY reason she did FIDDLER was so she could come back as Poppins is baffling. Is it a rule that if a foreign actor wants to have a lead role on Broadway, you must first have a supporting role? Come on, that's rediculous. She wasn't even cast as POPPINS until well into her run in FIDDLER, then she had to break her contract to get out of the show.

I'm not saying she's the ONLY one to do this part and that some other actresses (American or not) couldn't do a better job - I'm sure there's SOMEONE out there that could. I just don't understand your logic behind NOT wanting a british actress to do the part. Besides, POPPINS is a purely British musical - a British cast would make it that much more authentic. Do you feel the same way about Nathan Lane originating his role in THE PRODUCERS in NY, then originating it in London? Or what about Adam Pascal originating RENT on Broadway and in London? Surely there were some british actors who could have done them just as well, why send american actors over there?

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:41pm

Adam Pascal

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:44pm

What about Adam Pascal....

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:44pm

I'm so glad you're getting as upset as you are over this. You know since casting here in the states is already completed and all.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:45pm

keep them f***ing limeys on the other side of the pond until they discover the wonder of braces.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:47pm

I'm not upset over anything, I just don't understand his logic behind this. And why do you feel the need to comment on my interest in a topic instead of the actual topic and you're opinion on THAT?

And PAPA, if you meant that seriously, people like you make me sick.

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:49pm

And until they actual are as good as us in performing musicals.

One Elaine Page and a couple of overinflated spectacle musicals do not experts make!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:51pm

Because I already commented on the actual topic, genius.

[taboofreak!]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:52pm

Has anybody bothered to notice that Mary Poppins has meant to be English?? And that Laura Michelle Kelly is the best Mary Poppins - way better than Julie Andrews (sorry Julie - it's true). Or did you mean an American actress attempting to speak a 'Practically Perfect' english accent?

Rant over

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:55pm

I said if you were serious...I guess that means you are. And I make you sick....that's interesting. Wow, that's pretty amazing.

"and until they are actual as good as us in performing musicals"

That's pretty damn sad. And I'm not talking about your grammar.

Matt: I know you already said Laura Benanti. I was talking about your view on British actors creating roles in the US, since some people here are OBVIOUSLY very small minded and against it. Genius.