Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#1

Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

I just finished watched the documentary on the new Mary Poppins DVD about the creation of the show. There is not one single reference to Laura Michelle Kelly, and every photograph of the production is from Broadway. Even when Gavin Lee talks about Julie Andrews visiting the production in London they say that Julie passed the role on to "all the new Mary's" (at the time LMK was the only one).

Is there some reason for Disney trying to erase her from the history of the show?
#2

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

The way Mary Poppins is divvied up between Disney and Cameron Mackintosh is that Disney run the show in the Americas and Cameron basically runs it everywhere else. As the new DVD was put together in the States, it makes sense that it would predominantly feature stuff from the US production and that Disney would focus on what they brought to the show (do they interview Cameron at all?).

However, as I understand it (gossip and rumour and all that, take this with a pinch of salt) LMK was asked to extend her contract in London in 2005 or whenever it was but she turned the combined force of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh down, ergo she is something of a persona non grata (such is the world of theatre). I suppose she has gone on to bigger things (can't really call Lord of the Rings better, after all) and all the other Poppins principals aside from Gavin Creel and Caroline Sheen are STILL involved in productions of the show at the moment so it's probably much easier to get in touch with them anyway.
#3

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

Also, the Broadway show is the one that's running - not the London one. LMK, from all accounts, was difficult to work with which is why she didn't do the role again on Broadway. Shame though - she sings much better than Ashley Brown did.

The production is, creatively, still run by Cameron. Disney do a lot of the financing and major promotion.

Cameron has recently ordered Temper Temper to be cut from all productions (as he's had enough of screaming press and kids), and the creative team (mostly George Stiles , Anthony Drewe, David Caddick and Bill Brohn) are right now working on a new song to replace it once the show opens in Chicago. From then, once it works, it will be implemented into all productions worldwide.
Nick Hutson Co-Presenter/Producer MusicalTalk - The UK's Musical Theatre Podcast http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk
#4

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

I really like Temper Temper, it's NOT even scary, my 8 year old sister coped and she gets scared at alot of things. Really don't see the problem with it. But meh. Lets hope they replace it with something good.
#5

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

Cutting Temper Temper ! no way i have only recently started enjoying that song ! i used to loath it but now its good ! but i can see how for small children this could be scary !
No Doubt Our Paths Will Cross Again ! Matt
#7

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

I'm going to sound like an echo now but I love Temper Temper. It is the darker side to Mary Poppins that adds to the musical.
If it is replaced with another song that keeps the kids from screaming I guess it isn't all bad but if it is just skipped I shan't be happy.
#8

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

I have seen the Broadway production numerous times and I have not really heard much in the way of kids complaining that Temper Temper was to scary for them. I do understand that in London it was billed more as a show for the adults and that the parents should leave the kids at home for this one. I could see that when seeing it on Broadway and Temper Temper was one of those reasons. However, I don't get how it is so bad that it needs to be cut from the show.

I had thought that Kelly didn't do the show on Broadway because she wanted a bit of a break between working on the show in London and going to Broadway and that the producers didn't want that to happen.



"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
#9

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

Is this really true that 'Temper, Temper' is to be cut from all productions? Does this even apply to the Broadway production?

I'm saddened and dismayed by what I consider to be the artistic demise of this show. The original London production WAS practically perfect (if a tad long). I adored the original cast and no-one I saw after that were quite as good, although Gavin Creel and the subsequent Marys were all superb in their own way (I never cared for David Haig's replacement, though). Everything started to go wrong when Disney forced Cameron to change the marketing and the logo. P. L. Travers must be rolling in her grave.

I was considering seeing the show on Broadway, but not so sure now. I don't want to tamper with wonderful memories...
#10

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

Yes - it is true they're replacing it.

To be honest, Disney didn't make Cameron change the marketing - Disney just changed it... I don't know why. The show has changed so much since its original production - it's still a brilliant, brilliant musical (much better than the movie). Travers' would be happy that the movie has been replaced by something much better.

I think you should go and see the show - and not be judgmental. The creative team know what they're doing with this story.

Don't worry so much about the cast - go and see a show for the creativity behind it - not for the people that just present it.

A good musical is never written - only re-written.
Nick Hutson Co-Presenter/Producer MusicalTalk - The UK's Musical Theatre Podcast http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk
#11

re: Laura Michelle Kelly and Mary Poppins

It is a show that has never seemed to have found its feet completely, things always seem to be being changed.

HOWEVER its really good on Broadway, and currently has (in my view) the best Mary on stage (and ive seen most in the uk and broadway) - Scarlett Strallen.

I do agree, its a shame Temper Temper is to go

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $101