who will play mary poppins?- Page 2

[Kevo711]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:40am

Oh my I would love to see Erin Dilly as Mary Poppins! She would be fabulous!!!

[Dame Fanadette]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:41am

Well, if they are looking for a name I would love to see Jennifer Garner!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:42am

I am disappointed that Laura Michelle Kelly won't be coming to Broadway now because I saw her in London in WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, and she is very talented and personable. It sounds like a very silly disagreement to me. Why jeopardize a Broadway debut over something so silly?

[changinandhow]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:47am

I'm dreaming, but I think JLT should be up there.

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:32pm

my choices for mary poppins are

audra mcdonald
susan egan
sutton foster
laura benantti (sp)

what do you guys think

[broadwayman]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 2:43pm

Im actually hoping for Marla Schaffel.... I think Marla would be AMAZING as Mary Poppins. She has that look for Mary and I think she would sing it AMAZINGLY!!! I'm reallllly hoping Marla gets the role!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 2:47pm

Rebecca Luker perhaps

[Plum]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 2:59pm

That's a serious soprano role- I love me some Kate Winslet, but can she hit those notes?

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:02pm

Laura Michelle Kelly does have it in her contract that the show is to open on Broadway with her in the lead. My guess, however, is that she will be bought out. While I thought she was perfect in the role, American audiences will find her portrayal of the role to be too cold and formal.

Despite all the hoopla about finding a celebrity, Disney knows that they don't need a celebrity to make this a hit. They will be making changes to brighten the dark tone of the show.

I would not make any guesses as to American casting, but you can be sure that Raul Esparza WILL NOT be playing Bert. Raul will not be doing any more family-friendly shows after "Chitty".

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:02pm

Does she really have many high notes? On the recording, Laura Michelle Kelly seems to be belting most of it.

But I'm sure if Kate Winslet wants to do it they'll be more than happy to make any adjustments.

[Plum]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:06pm

It seemed to go pretty high to me, but maybe that's just a mezzo talking. :)

And I thought the Poppins I saw could have used a little bit more of a formal (and formidable) presence. She just seemed too young to be right. And I'm coming from the perspective of an American whose only seen the Disney movie, so take that as you will.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:18pm

Broadwaybaby, it's already been taken care of.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:59pm

I think Jennifer Laura Thompson is a great choice. She can be serious and eccentric all in the same sentence.

And she's beautiful and she can sing.

As far as any major star casting, or stunt casting... I wouldn't look for that. This is Disney, remember. If someone such as Kate Winslet played the part, you'd have a stampede at the box office, and they would be hard pressed to replace her with anyone that isn't a "let down."

Disney doesn't "star cast" anymore. They want their brand name and the show itself to be the star. Then, replacements aren't that big of a deal... it's a franchise show and can run forever.

[w_tanoto]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:04pm

I'll go for susan egan or kate winslet

[Plum]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:05pm

*agrees with best12bars*

Mary Poppins is a star title in its own right; it doesn't need a star in the lead role, except maybe in 5 years when ticket sales are lagging.

[Plum]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:09pm

Argh evil double-postage of doom. Updated On: 11/23/05 at 04:09 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:15pm

People are saying Chenoweth and JLT just because they played witches on Wicked. I don't think they should get someone that has no previous Broadway credits to open this show, I'm tired of big names being the only way to keep a show running. Rebecca Luker sounds like a fine choice and Susan Egan is probably a good choice as well.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:19pm

Much as I love her, I wouldn't call JLT a big name. Your "average folks" have no idea who she is.

Rebecca Luker would be a fine choice, and she has carried shows on her shoulders before. Very reliable, and very talented.

I can't see Susan Egan in this at all.

I want Alison Fraser to come back to Broadway to play Mrs. Banks. She always reminded me of a young Glynis Johns anyway.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:47pm

Kate's name has been mentioned forever.

In fact, she was rumored even before the London production started. The rumor was that Sam Mendes was going to direct it and she was going to star, and then it turned out to just be that, a rumor. So I'm not suprised her name is being brought up again...

[angelrock25222]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 4:58pm

JLT as mary poppins would make my life. the end.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:07pm

I give a huge vote for Laura Benanti. I think since "My Fair Lady" doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, that this should be the role that she really makes a splash with.
*Still grumbling over her Tony loss for *Into the Woods'*

[missy2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:11pm

i was just on biz in London and went to see this show. It's okay - the second act is much stronger than the first.

I didn't love it.

[EganFan2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:11pm

*Still holding out for a British actress*

Susan Egan's great, but I can't see her as Mary at all. Laura Benanti, yes.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:16pm

She's doing "The Wedding Singer" (she'll be Julia,) so Laura Benanti will be unavailable.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:18pm

Haha..if Disney wants her, they'll get her.