Mary Poppins on Broadway

[mygfdontliveincanada]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:35pm

Does anyone else think Laura Benanti should be cast as the world's favorite nanny? And if so, does anyone know when her contract with "The Wedding Singer" will expire?

[Popular]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:36pm

I have a feeling I know who will like this thread....

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:43pm

Get an unknown.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:08pm

Good job Popular! You were right I do love this thread!!!:)

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:57pm

I like Laura Benanti just fine (beautiful voice), but I hope they get someone with a little more natural warmth and charm. Should be interesting to see what develops.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:40pm

hmmm...I can't really see it. I don't know. She has the voice, but not the personality.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:47pm

Erin Dilly! That's all I have to say!

[thez914]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:42pm

eek...Erin Dilly? I'm not such a fan of her in the role.
*EDIT: What about Dilly as Mrs. Banks?*

And I don't see Benanti in it either.

I say make it a star turn for someone nobody's ever heard of. It's not like Mary Poppins needs a big name to sell.

But I would like to see Laura Michelle Kelly's lauded performance.

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 11:42 PM

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:58pm

From what I've heard of The Wedding Singer, she is not very good in it. SHe just lacks the charm and...let's say "likability". If I'm not mistaken, I think Mary Poppins needs those attributes.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 1:20am

As Mrs. Banks?? HAHAHAH! that actually makes me laugh! I can't see her in that role. I think she's perfect for Mary!

[ThunderCat8]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:05am

Laura Michelle Kelly all the way! She is incredible. Plus, she grew up near to where I grew up! There is something in the water

[Gregster]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:22am

Gasp Thundercat8 you arent from the Isle of Wight are you?! i am! went to the same schools as LMK!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:29am

Well LMK isn't coming to the US with the show. And it's interesting you note that Benanti doesn't have the charm or the natural warmth. Mary Poppins is supposed to be quite a cold and prickly character.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:11am

Yes, in the books Mary Poppins is definitely a cool and prickly character and perhaps that is more how LMK played her...I don't know, I didn't see the production. My personal opinion is that American audiences will be turned off if Mary Poppins doesn't at least have that warmth in her interior. She may play cool on the outside but I think she needs that natural inherent warmth for American audiences to follow her. Just my opinion I know.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:20am

As has been noted many times on this board, Laura Michelle Kelley will not be in Poppins on B'way.

Don't be surprised the current Belle, Ashley Brown, ends up as Mary Poppins. The folks at Disney Theatricals are quite taken with her (as are audiences at the Lunt-Fontainne).

[EganFan2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:29pm

My thoughts exactly. I will not be surprised at all if Brown gets the role.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:32pm

The last I heard, even though LMK is not in the running, they are still wanting a Brit to originate the role on Broadway.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:34pm

I LOVE this thread.
And yes, I think Laura would be perfection...

[thez914]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 3:28pm

Ashley Brown can't play Mary, silly.

She's going to be Ariel!!!

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:21pm

Laura Michelle Kelly.

And if not her, either Erin Dilly or Jennifer Laura Thompson.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:28pm

Bring over the original leads!
(And what more, Don't let Disney soap it up! I've said that from the get go.)

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:30pm

Soap it up? That's Disney's middle name.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:12pm

I think Benati would be perfect. Well, someone was saying she was miscast in Wedding Singer, so maybe if she gets dumped from the show, she can do Poppins. Ashley Brown seems too young.

[Annie3]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:28pm

I would LOVE to see Erin Dilly in this ! :)

[greenifyed]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:21am

*dances the Jennifer Laura Thompson dance*

Seriously, I want shirts. Team Thompson -- Poppins 06.