Dick Van Dyke did a walk on in LA 's "Mary Poppins" last night....

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 11:32am

Last night at LA's Ahmanson Theatre where the National Tour of "Mary Poppins" is currently playing, Dick Van Dyke did a walk on as Mr. Dawes, Sr. - the same role that he plays in the film version.

He was hysterical! I knew about this a few weeks ago, and was given tickets by a friend on the production team. In addition to the special event with DVD, Richard Sherman who co-wrote all the songs, was in the audience as well. An insert in the program stated that the role would be played by NACKVID KEYD. He's billed the same way in the film version.

A brief curtain speech was given by the director of the show before the show started. He explained that per Actor's Equity anytime a new cast member is added, an announcement has to be made - either in the program or a verbal announcement. He wanted to say he was sorry on behalf of the printing company who printed up the insert. It was a major typo and the role would be played by DICK VAN DYKE! When he said that, the entire theatre went bonkers....NUTS! I've never heard such screaming. The lights went down, the orchestra started and the magic began.

When he appeared in Act 2 in the bank, he got a huge, huge response when we walked through the bank's doors. He was very, very funny. He was brought out at the end during curtain call - with the entire house standing, cheering and having a great time. After the show was finished there was a Q&A with the cast and Mr. Sherman and DVD. Ashley Brown is leaving the tour in 3 months. DVD only saw the show for the first time 2 months ago when it opened in LA. He hadn't seen it in London or NYC.

The Q&A lasted about 30 minutes or so.

What a wonderful evening!

Updated On: 1/23/10 at 11:32 AM

[once a month]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 11:49am

Sounded like a fun event! If I had to sit through Mary Poppins again, that's nearly tempting. It was cool when he was added to Chitas show a few years back...A Dancers Life.

[Matteo]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 12:00pm

I thought DVD played Bert in the movie...

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 12:04pm

He did, but he doubled as the elder Mr. Dawes at the bank and was listed in the credits as Nackvid Keyd as the OP said.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 12:05pm

He did...but he also played the Mr Dawes, Sr.

[kec]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 12:49pm

Oh, man, what I would have given to be in that audience!!!!!

Ashley Brown is leaving? Hmmm... that means when the show comes to DC it will be a new Mary. Any word on her replacement?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 12:56pm

I'm completely jealous of everyone who got to see that. Mary Poppins is my favorite movie, and horrible accent or not, I loved Dick Van Dyke in it. I hope a recording exists of this, even if it's just a clip on the local news.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 1:20pm

So I guess Denver will be the last performances for Ashley Brown. The show is here March 4th thru April 4th.

[kec]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 1:38pm

Found an article, with a picture.
A Very Familiar Face Returns to "Mary Poppins"

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 1:52pm

Thanks for the link. It was an amazing evening!

[kec]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 9:32pm

OrangeSkittles, I checked YT for a video, but nothing came up and there are only two articles available on the net -- one of which was published in the British tabloid The Daily Mail.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 9:40pm

PLEASE tell me this watch preserved on video???????? Did you see any media cameras??

Wouldn't he be a great one-man show?!

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/23/10 at 10:45pm

I believe that "Entertainment Tonight" will be airing footage one night next week - not sure which day...

[Waffles]

Posted: 1/24/10 at 12:45am

I was there, and nealb1, I couldn't agree with you more - it was an absolutely wonderful night! I practically turned into a puddle of goo when I heard before the show that Dick Van Dyke was there. Not only was seeing the play great, but DVD was just amazing!

I do hope they air it on Entertainment Tonight, because I'd love to see that part again.

[NGeorgiaBwayFan]

Posted: 1/24/10 at 8:22am

That is just wonderful. I wish I could have been there! Yay for all who were.

[Fanb]

Posted: 1/24/10 at 6:54pm

It was wonderful to see such a great star be received so warmly. Thanks for posting the link.

[bluesoprano]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:50am

That is so awesome. Dick Van Dyke is such an amazing actor and I'm so glad that he was given the opportunity to be in the musical. That is something I would have loved to have seen.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:05am

Loved hearing about your evening, but even more excited to hear Ashley Brown will be the show when I see her next month. The rumor was she was leaving after LA. Sounds like it was great night. Lucky!

You know, it has always bothered me Audrey Hepburn got My Fair Lady instead of Julie Andrews. But then she wouldn't have played Mary Poppins, and seriously, who could have played her other than Julie Andrews? So, I guess it worked out okay.

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 6:14pm

ET will be airing their interview with Mr. Van Dyke tonight.. just in case you hadn't seen the preview clip on BWWTV
Updated On: 1/26/10 at 06:14 PM

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 7:58pm

They did not show NEARLY enough footage of it, but my god, he's fantastic.

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 7:59pm

Yeah, I was a bit disappointed at how little they actually showed -- BWWTV has more of the interview than what we actually saw on the program. But yes, even that little bit we saw was indeed fantastic!

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 8:00pm

^^^
I, too, agree.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 8:17pm

NOW, let's pray that some godly bootlegger captured something somehow..........
*WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE*

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/26/10 at 10:35pm

"Entertainment Tonight" just aired here in LA, with the interview and his stage appearance being the last story of the 1/2 hour show.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 1:39am

I thought he was dead. Lol