Mary Poppins - No Laura Michelle Kelly- Page 4

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 10:54pm

RUTHIE RUTHIE RUTHIE!!!!
and wudnt it be wonderful to pair her up with Tim!
Those 2 can sing, dance and act! getem on stage NOW!

I really want Linzi to go to Broadway.. cuz she DESERVES it! Here in Ldn, I think she's been thought of as the narrator in Joseph more than anything she's ever done. Though I have to say I loved her Roxie very much. Her Mrs. Banks is just... so underwritten that its painful to see Linzi stuck in it!

I think for Broadway performers... I wud go for Laura B, Sutton Foster for Mary. Can't really think of anyone for Bert.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:08pm

I'm really hoping for Kelli O'Hara (this role would win her a Tony) or Erin Dilly. Both women would be fabulous.

[sports620]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:12am

Definitely Marla Schaffel

or Ruthie Updated On: 4/19/06 at 12:12 AM

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:26am

Dont be too harsh on yourself about Mamma Mia.... its a hit in London too

Oh I would not be surprised at all if they relaunch the London show ala Sunset Boulevard. As for it being a "soft" hit. I take your point but even if its not raking in the cash its still a big ticket in London and not discounting yet. Most people I know who have seen it and not musical freaks like me have loved it. I think its a terrific show and call me sentimental but I well up at several points in the show. If thats not good enough for Disney so be it. I just find it sad that there was a process in Brsitol then London and now in its second year its not "good" enough for Broadway.

I guess its easier to keep people happy and serve them the film on a stage. It worked with Beauty and the Beast and yet look at how much critical success they got with Julie Taymore's reimagination. The distinction is that Lion King retains the film's basic plot and structure. Mary Poppins the musical is really all about a man and his family NOT a Julie Andrews clone.

*resigns himself to dumbing down for the sake of a few extra million*


PS On the plus side they are dumbing UP Wicked for the London production. We are even getting characters Anglified with reports from auditions of actresses being asked to do Glinda "British".

[anne3]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:29am

Won't Ruthie be back in England by then?

Tim finishes up Rent in July and his UK based band will be releasing a CD come September.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:15am

Cameron didnt cast her or any of her contemporaries for the World Premiere production. They wanted younger, they wanted "unknown", they got Laura Michelle Kelly. Not exactly unknown in the business as someone was pushing her hard to be next big thing for the last six+ years.

I am sure Kelli O'Hara would fit the bill. Or Sarah Uriarte Berry perhaps?

Fingers crossed they keep Miss Andrews and cast Judye Kaye. Although one of the funniest characters is not very well represented on the OLC- Miss Brill created by the deadpan Jenny Galloway.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:17am

I actually thought Jenny was quite gd! It's kinda her style that she's quite bland... but I think it works!

[kec]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:58am

I agree, Jenny Galloway was excellent as Mrs. Brill. I thought the "deadpan" delivery worked very well.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:14am

Kelli O Hara or JLT... both would be great

[Doogie]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:56am

I believe final callbacks are this week...so we'll see soon.

[Scottie310]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:51pm

Laura Benanti would be PERFECT. Some people think she is really cold and stiff-but when I saw her in the Pippin concert last year, she was hysterical and had so much presence and charisma. Her voice is also perfect for this part.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:11pm

Benanti is in Wedding Singer. The show is not closing and she will still be in it when Poppins opens. Unless she has a twin sister she will not be cast as Mary. Go see her in Wedding Singer.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 7:29pm

I think we're forgetting that Linzi is also the original Martha in the West End Production of Secret Garden. I love her voice!!

[stanton]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 8:26pm

They should cast Judy Kuhn

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:08pm

LINZI IS THE BEST! She's one of my fav MT performers! End. Of. Story.

As much as I know that there would probably be tons of Broadway performers who can do Mrs. Banks well, I think they should bring Linzi over as she deserves a chance! And I betcha all Broadway fellas wanna see her onstage!

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:19pm

i think susan egan needs to be at those final callbacks.
laura would be lovely..i picked her a long time ago..=)
ashley brown?
i love judy and ruthie...maybe not young enough according to what they say they are looking for..but either would be incredible.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:44pm

yeah, Ashley Brown.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:46pm

Well they could probably get Ashley Brown for scale and this IS Disney so...

[Doogie]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:56am

not Ashley Brown....make her Ariel! Ariel! Ariel!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:58am

Mary Poppins at Scale???
very amusing.