I just got back from seeing Poppins again last night. However, it was the first time I saw the show with Walker in the role instead of Brown. I was wondering what you thought as to who is better?
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Never seen Catherine Walker, but have a hard time imagining her topping Ashley Brown.
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I haven't seen Ashley, but I thought Catherine Walker was phenomenal. I was disappointed to not see Ashley, but Catherine had an amazing voice and perfect acting.
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I too have to join the list of people of haven't seen Catherine, but I did see Ashley Brown, and was VERY impressed with her sassy yet kind performance.
I'm still pretty pissed though that LBB got a Tony Nom over Ashley Brown...
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I never saw Catherine Walker but I did see Ashley Brown and she was great. I can't see how she can be better than her.. Updated On: 1/26/08 at 10:33 PM
I saw Ashley Brown when I went to the show with my husband last year. I saw Catherine Walker when I took my niece recently. I think Catherine Walker turned a good show into a great show. She has a glorious voice; but mostly I believed that, even though she is feisty and strict, her Mary Poppins really loves the children and cares about the Banks family. I was really moved, and it made such a difference in how I felt about the whole show.
I saw both Walker and Brown perform the role of Mary Poppins. Over all, I liked Walker's take on the role better than Brown's. Her nuance's in the character development made her Mary "real". Her immersion in the role caused her fellow actors to become more engaged in the interchanges that they had with Mary.Thus raising the quality level of the production. Both young ladies have fine singing voices. I preferred the purity and clarity of Walker's voice. Both did equally well in the dance numbers. If I was going to see the show again, i would want to see Walker in the role.
I didn't see Catherine, but heard amazing things about her and would like to see her in the role. Ashley Brown was amazing though, and I love her voice. I wish I had caught her in Beauty and the Beast.
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This is VERY interesting! I saw Mary Poppins on January 25th. and Catherine Walker was performing the role of Mary. I had seen the show last year with friends, and Ashley was performing. I thought the show was great, and the effects were phenomenal, especially at the end!(You know what I'm talking about) I knew the kids would get a kick out of the show, which is why we all went to see it more recently. Honestly, when I first heard that Ashley was NOT going to be performing as Mary, I was a bit disappointed (naturally, she's the headliner).
I did't bring to anybody's attention the fact that the "Real Mary Poppins" was not performing that night, I didn't want to take away from the show, and I sat back and hoped for the best. Well, the BEST is what we got! Catherine was perfect! I really loved her. She just seemed... warm? That's the best way I can describe the difference between her take on the role vs. Ashley's. Catherine has the voice of an angel, and carried herself with poise and confidence. She's also a beautiful girl. The only thing that told you she was the understudy is the program. I agree with the comment below about her seeming to truely care for the children and the family. She maintained the stern edge, while showing a bit of warmth that really made you love her. Disney really can't lose with this show. No matter which one is performing the lead in the show, the audience is in for a treat. I'll be keeping my eye on Catherine Walker's career, and be sure to pop in the next theater that has her name up in lights. As part of my recent infatuation with her, I tracked down Catherine's web site.
Right there on the main page they list when she will be performing as Mary again! So if you loved the show, and haven't seen Catherine as Mary yet, go check her out! Catherine Walker's Web site