Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12
Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#1
Posted: 9/28/09 at 1:31pmLaura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle as Mary and Bert on the 12th.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#2
Posted: 9/28/09 at 1:47pm
It said she got premission from the Actors' Equity Association to star in this production. Do you think that's how she worked things out with Cameron Mackintosh? It's great that Americans who could not travel to ondon will finally get to see her as Mary. She is a very talented lady.
Also just to let all of you know she still wanted to play the part on Broadway despite her fallout with Cameron Mackintosh according to this interview: "From Carina: Do you think you will ever come to Broadway to play Mary Poppins?
Laura Michelle Kelly responds: I would love to play Mary again if the occasion arose. I also love New York very much. I can't wait to work there again. But who knows?"
http://london.broadway.com/blog/id/3007274/LauraMichelleKelly
Updated On: 10/1/09 at 01:47 PM
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#3
Posted: 9/28/09 at 2:01pm
Kelly was absolutely stunning in the London production.
She managed to nail the difficult tone of the role with terrific stage presence, something her American predecessor (the bland Ashley Brown) had none of.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/7/07
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#4
Posted: 9/28/09 at 2:10pm
The Equity line is a standard contractual clause when UK performers play Broadway (and vice versa). It's no doubt exactly the same as was used for Scarlett Strallen, and was definitely the same for when Gavin Creel played Bert over here. I'd guess, in fact, that Adam Fiorentino has a similar credit for his appearance with the permission of the Australian MEAA.
It used to be slightly different as there was a like-for-like exchange system in place whereby there was a "swap" of actors - Sarah Brightman did PHANTOM on Broadway so there had to be an unknown American in ASPECTS OF LOVE (Ann Crumb), and I think in Gavin Creel's case the swap was for Lisa O'Hare to do the MY FAIR LADY tour on the States.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#5
Posted: 9/28/09 at 2:12pmI am gonna take a guess that we will soon get a statement about Temper, Temper being removed from the show.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#6
Posted: 9/28/09 at 2:28pmWorst bit of casting news I heard today. How soon before Borle starts walking through the show, just like every role he's done on Broadway?
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#7
Posted: 9/28/09 at 2:32pm
I do hope we have an announcement of when "Temper Temper" is being removed from the show (so I can see the show again before it is removed - I love that song).
...and I have to agree with Kalimba. Christian Borle walked through LEGALLY BLONDE all three times I saw the show, and I didn't care for his performances in SPAMALOT or ON THE TOWN either. Still, I'm very excited to see Laura Michelle Kelly's take on Mary. I'm sure she will be outstanding.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#8
Posted: 9/28/09 at 3:13pmWhy would they remove "Temper, Temper"? If they want to remove a song, go ahead and cut the dull and boring "Being Mrs. Banks" (as performed by the dull and boring Rebecca Luker).
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#9
Posted: 9/28/09 at 4:35pm
They're planning on removing "Temper, Temper" because they feel it's too scary for little kids. It's already been removed from the tour, and replaced with a (boring) new song, "Playing the Game," which they've said will be put into the Broadway and subsequent productions.
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2009/03/mary-poppins-in-chicago-to-feature-new-song.html
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#10
Posted: 9/28/09 at 4:50pmOh the poor children. If the brats are too scared by the song, Temper, Temper, me thinks they're too young to be attending this show. Give me a break.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#11
Posted: 9/28/09 at 4:52pmPlaying the Game is the lamest number in a musical. Ever.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#12
Posted: 9/28/09 at 4:54pmEven lamer than, "Being Mrs. Banks" (a total Zanex of a song).
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#13
Posted: 9/28/09 at 4:58pmI am not the biggest fan of Christian Borle. I actually dislike him completely as a performer. Why would they cast him as Bert? I'm sorry...but, he's going to ruin that role. Laura Michelle Kelly on the other hand...she will be superb!
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#14
Posted: 9/28/09 at 5:33pmTemper, Temper is supposed to frighten children! I thought when I saw it on Broadway is wasn't scary enough. We are a nation of liars and impolite people, I can't tell you how many people don't say please and thank you or hold the door for other people. We need to tell these children that they need to shape up because they are the future of our country!
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#15
Posted: 9/28/09 at 5:35pm
"I actually dislike him completely as a performer. Why would they cast him as Bert? I'm sorry...but, he's going to ruin that role."
I think we should give him a chance before coming forward and saying he will ruin the role. Hopefully his performance as Bert will be better than how people felt he was in Legally Blonde and Spamalot.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#16
Posted: 9/28/09 at 5:37pm
I like "Temper, Temper" and agree with BroadwayBound115 in wishing that it was actually a little scarier. It's too bad it was cut for the tour.
Laura Michelle Kelly should be wonderful. As for Christian Borle, I have a hard time picturing him as Bert.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#17
Posted: 9/28/09 at 5:47pmSomeone mentioned in another thread that Kelly's engagement would be of the "strictly limited" variety, because she had some film/TV commitments. Does anyone know exactly how limited her engagement is going to be?
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#18
Posted: 9/28/09 at 5:52pmadamgreer, the rumor has been that Kelly will be with the Broadway company through January before she goes back to England to work on GHOST.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#19
Posted: 9/28/09 at 10:20pmI think Borle will be a great addition! I'm sure LBB will be there his first night. Haha!
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#20
Posted: 9/28/09 at 10:25pm
"Playing the Game" is an atrocious song... And "Temper, Temper" will play its last on October 11... The cast change will bring in the new song.
Quite excited about Laura Michelle Kelly...
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#21
Posted: 9/28/09 at 11:34pmI don't understand how anyone could find "Temper, Temper" scary in the slightest! I thought it was hilarious!
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#22
Posted: 9/28/09 at 11:36pmAdd me to the camp who thought "Temper, Temper" should have been SCARIER.
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#23
Posted: 9/29/09 at 1:17amI'm sorry, but some of you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about when it comes to Christian.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
re: Kelly and Borle join MARY POPPINS Oct. 12#24
Posted: 9/29/09 at 1:20am
"I'm sorry, but some of you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about when it comes to Christian."
Well, it is a matter of opinion.
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