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Mary Poppins (musical)
Encyclopedia
Mary Poppins is a Walt Disney Theatrical
musical based on the similarly titled series of children's books
by P. L. Travers
and the Disney 1964 film
. The West End
production opened in December 2004 and received two Olivier Awards
, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreography. The musical features the film's music and lyrics by the Academy Award winning Sherman Brothers
, along with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles
and Anthony Drewe
. The book was written by Julian Fellowes
. The musical was directed by Richard Eyre
and co-directed by Matthew Bourne
, who also acted as co-choreographer with Stephen Mear
. A Broadway production with a near-identical creative team opened in November 2006, with only minor changes from the West End version. It received seven Tony Award
nominations, including Best Musical
, winning for Best Scenic Design.
The stage musical is a fusion of various elements from the film
and the books
. Some elements from the Mary Poppins
series of children's books that had been omitted from the film were restored, such as the walking statue and the ladders rising to the stars. Others were removed, such as the scene in which Uncle Albert gets caught on the ceiling, laughing.
met Pamela Travers and acquired the rights to develop a stage play adaptation of her Mary Poppins books. In 2001, Mackintosh and the head of Disney Theatrical Thomas Schumacher
opened talks on a possible collaboration, so that the stage play would be able to use the songs from the Disney film. With both sides committed, a preliminary outline of the show was written in 2002.
Around this time songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe heard about the project, and independently wrote a demo version of a new introductory song for the character of Mary, titled "Practically Perfect". They submitted the song to Mackintosh, and due to his positive response, were officially brought on to the creative team. Julian Fellowes was brought on to write the show's script because of his "clear understanding of the social niceties of the English class system that prevailed in the Edwardian era".
A workshop of the show was held at the end of 2003 at the rehearsal room at London's Old Vic Theatre, using the cast of My Fair Lady
, which had just closed in the West End
. After four weeks of rehearsals at Sadler's Wells, the production moved to Bristol
, where an out-of-town tryout opened at the Bristol Hippodrome
on September 15, 2004.
's stage adaptation of Mary Poppins
had its world premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome
starting with previews from September 15, 2004, before officially opening on September 18 for a limited engagement until November 6. The production then moved to the Prince Edward Theatre
on December 15, 2004. The role of Mary was played by Laura Michelle Kelly
, who subsequently won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the role, and the role of Bert was played by Gavin Lee
. Notable replacements have included Scarlett Strallen
and Lisa O'Hare
as Mary Poppins and Gavin Creel
as Bert.
The show sparked mild controversy not long after its debut when producers Cameron MacKintosh and Thomas Schumacher banned children below 3 years old from entering the theatre, deeming the show too scary for young children. The ban remained throughout the show's entire run, during which the theatre staff were to prevent patrons with children below 3 to enter. The show was officially tagged as being "for children seven years and up".
On March 17, 2005, Julie Andrews
, who played Mary Poppins
in the film
, visited the show as a guest. She appeared onstage during the curtain calls, where she gave a speech recalling her own memories from making the film and praising the cast for their new interpretation.
The production closed on January 12, 2008, after a run of more than three years.
Following the success of the West End production, a Broadway production debuted on November 16, 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre
after previews from October 14. Broadway performer Ashley Brown
was brought on board to play the title role, and Gavin Lee
, who had originated the role of Bert in the West End
production, reprised his role in the Broadway
production. The rest of the original cast included Daniel H. Jenkins
as George Banks, Rebecca Luker
as Winifred Banks, Katherine Doherty
, Kathryn Fraughnan, and Delaney Moro as Jane Banks, and Matthew Gumley
, Alexander Scheitinger, and Henry Hodges
as Michael Banks. Starting on 9 October 2008, the role of Mary was played by Scarlett Strallen
and Bert was played by Adam Fiorentino. Laura Michelle Kelly
, who originated the role of Mary in London, officially took over the role on Broadway on October 12, 2009. Tony Award
nominee Christian Borle
joined the cast the same day as Bert. Nicolas Dromard replaced Borle on July 16, 2010, on a limited engagement through August 22, 2010. Gavin Lee returned the role of Bert on August 24, 2010 and was reunited with former London co-star Laura Michelle Kelly. Ashley Brown will return to the role of Mary Poppins in the Broadway production from March 8, 2011 to July 17, 2011 while Laura Michelle Kelly
is away filming a movie. Kelly will return to role on July 19, 2011.
The Broadway production differed from the London production in that the "Jolly Holiday
" sequence was staged in full technicolour instead of the gray tones of the London show, and in "Anything Can Happen" the stairs to the heavens were replaced by a large version of Mary Poppins' umbrella entering from the stage floor. These changes were later transferred back to the West End production. Most recently, a new song has been added to the score, entitled "Playing the Game". This replaces the already new "Temper, Temper" in the first act. This change has been added to all current and future productions of the show.
The Broadway version received mixed reviews ranging from enthusiastic to mediocre. Many critics praised the show for its technical merits. Despite the mixed reviews, the show has been regularly performing well at the box office since its opening. After running for 52 weeks, the show recouped all its original investment.
On July 16, 2011, the Broadway production surpassed Pippin
to become the 30th longest running show in Broadway history.
in Melbourne
on the 14 July 2010. The show officially opened on the 29 July. The cast includes Australian theatre icons Marina Prior
as Mrs Banks, Debra Byrne
as The Bird Woman, Philip Quast
as Mr Banks, Judi Connelli
as Miss Andrew, Matt Lee as Bert, Sally Anne Upton as Mrs Brill, and Christopher Rickerby as Robertson Ay. Verity Hunt-Ballard plays the title character, Mary Poppins. Hunt-Ballard was awarded the role late in the casting stage, after a long and exhaustive search. The Melbourne production closed on April 1, 2011. It was also confirmed that the musical would play Sydney
at the Capitol Theatre
starting in April 2011 and will conclude its run mid December 2011. An Australian Cast Recording was released on February 18, 2011. The musical will also play at the Lyric Theatre in Brisbane
starting in December 2011.
changed the sets, making the Banks' Household smaller in size, and deleting numerous intermediate scenes, so that smaller theatres could accommodate the large-scale demands of the production.
A U.K.
tour of the London production commenced on June 4, 2008 and ended on April 18, 2009, with stops at venues including the Theatre Royal, Plymouth
, Edinburgh Playhouse
, and the Wales Millennium Centre
in Cardiff
. The original cast featured Caroline Sheen
as Mary Poppins, Daniel Crossley as Bert, Martin Ball
as George Banks and Louise Bowden as Winifred Banks. Caroline Sheen
performed the role of Mary Poppins from June 4 to October 25, 2008 in Plymouth
, Birmingham
and Edinburgh
. Lisa O'Hare
took over the role of Mary Poppins on October 27, 2008 and performed in Edinburgh
, Manchester
and Cardiff
, where the tour concluded.
A U.S.
tour began previews on March 11, 2009 with opening night on March 25, featuring Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert respectively. The tour started at the Cadillac Palace Theatre
in Chicago
, and is scheduled to play in many US cities. On November 15, 2009 during opening night in Los Angeles Dick Van Dyke
(who played Bert in the film) appeared during the encore onstage and praised Lee’s performance in the role. On Jan. 22, 2010 to raise funds for a local charity and as part of a D23
event, Van Dyke did a cameo of his other role from the original film of Mr. Dawes Sr. The song "Temper, Temper" was cut from this production and replaced with a new musical number called "Playing the Game." The song also replaced "Temper, Temper" in the Broadway production beginning October 12, 2009. Caroline Sheen
took over the role of Mary from Brown in February 2010 in Tempe, Arizona and will play the role until February 2011. Dominic Roberts, who was an original Broadway and Tour cast member, took over the role of Bert from Gavin Lee August 17, 2010 for a limited engagement. Nicolas Dromard, who previously understudied the role of Bert on Broadway, took over the role from Dominic Roberts on September 10, 2010 and will play the role until September 2011. Steffanie Leigh joined the cast as Mary Poppins on February 8, 2011.
at the Göteborgs Operan. This production is externally licensed by Disney Theatrical to Josef Weinberger Limited, and performed entirely in Swedish, with the book translated by Magnus Lindman. The musical director was Björn Dobbelaere, with actors Linda Olsson as Mary and Magnus Borén as Bert. This production closed on March 14, 2009.
Another foreign-language production will open in the Fortis Circus Theater in The Hague
(Scheveningen), in April 2010, presented by Disney Theatrical directly. Noortje Herlaar is Mary Poppins and William Spaaij is Bert. The actress who plays the role of Mary Poppins was found in a TV-show: Op zoek naar Mary Poppins
(Searching for Mary Poppins)
The Finnish
production opened at the Helsinki
City Theatre on August 11, 2009 and will run until May 8, 2010.The Danish
production opened in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Det Ny Teater on February 18, 2010.The role of Mary is played by Charlotte Guldberg and the role of Bert is played by Kristian Studsgaard.A Hungarian
production opened in Budapest, Hungary in September 2009. A Czech
production opened in Brno, Czech Republic in November 2010. A Estonian production opened in Tartu, Estonia in November 2011 and same production in Tallinn, Estonia in December 2011 (www.vanemuine.ee/poppins )
In Brazil, two or three companies are fighting for the rights to produce the show. No opening date was released yet.
/Cherry Tree Lane- Part 1"). Number 17 is where the Banks family lives: George and Winifred Banks, their two naughty children Jane and Michael, their cook, Mrs. Brill and their odd-job man, Robertson Ay. Things are not going well, for Jane and Michael are out of control and as the show starts, their latest nanny, Katie Nanna, storms out. After that, Mrs. Brill and Robertson Ay complain about living in a "madhouse." The children decide to write the advertisement for a new nanny ("The Perfect Nanny
"), but George Banks has a very different idea of what constitutes the perfect nanny and he tears up the piece of paper and throws it in the fireplace. Within moments Mary Poppins arrives and takes charge of the Banks children, having every confidence in her own qualifications and merits ("Practically Perfect").
On the children's first outing to the park, they meet Bert and, despite their reservations about his ragged clothes and dirty face, Mary teaches them that they must learn to look past appearances. To illustrate the point, Mary brings the park statues, including a mythological figure named Neleus, to life ("Jolly Holiday
").
While Mary manages the children, other problems lie with their parents. Winifred Banks is aware that she is somehow disappointing both her children and her husband ("Being Mrs Banks"). George Banks, on the other hand, can't understand why she finds the role of wife and mother so difficult ("Cherry Tree Lane (reprise)"). In an effort to please her husband, Winifred sends out invitations for a smart tea party. Mrs. Brill makes the preparations, while telling an eager Robertson Ay to keep his hands off. The children inadvertently sabotage the kitchen preparations, but Mary Poppins sorts it out with a lesson ("A Spoonful of Sugar
"). However, it is then revealed that none of the invitees are coming.
Mary takes the children to visit their father at the bank where he works ("Precision and Order"). There George is busy dealing with possible investment clients: first an ambitious man named Von Hussler who has an elaborate money-making scheme, and then a middle-class man named Northbrook who has a simple factory project. George is furious when Mary turns up with the children, but an innocent question asked by Jane (What's more important, a good man or a good idea?) makes him realise how much his values have changed ("A Man Has Dreams
") since he was an idealistic young man. He then decides to accept Northbrook's project, and rejects Von Hussler's, but unfortunately things take a turn for the worse afterwards.
Outside St. Paul's Cathedral, Mary introduces the children to the Bird Woman ("Feed the Birds"). Jane is suspicious of her, but Michael responds to the Bird Woman and throws crumbs for the birds. On the trip home, the children meet the enigmatic Mrs. Corry who runs a magic sweet shop that also sells words ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
").
The children return home in high spirits, unaware that things have gone wrong for their father. Unknown to them, George's decision to reject Von Hussler has cost the bank dearly, and he is suspended without pay. George explodes with rage at the children and they are sent to the nursery. Reacting to her father's outburst, Jane flies into a fury, ignoring Mary Poppins' words of warning about controlling her temper, and also has a fight with Michael over a doll. The frightening consequence of her anger becomes apparent as Jane and Michael's toys come to life and join Mary in teaching them a lesson in how to take better care of their belongings and toys (formerly "Temper Temper", now "Playing the Game").
Realising that Jane and Michael still have a lot to learn, Mary decides to leave Cherry Tree Lane ("Chim Chim Cher-ee
- Rooftop Duet"), to bring them to their senses. Her distraught charges find a note saying that perhaps they will see Mary Poppins again eventually.
, rejecting any notion of a "spoonful of sugar" in favour of her own terrible elixir ("Brimstone and Treacle Part 1").
Terrified of their new nanny, the children escape to the park and find their good friend Bert, who cheers them up and helps Michael fulfil his dream of flying a kite ("Let's Go Fly a Kite
"). This marks the return of Mary Poppins. Jane and Michael are thrilled to be reunited with her, and then quickly tell her of the changes that have gone on at Number 17.
Also hiding in the park is George, who is depressed over his supposed lack of achievements ("Good For Nothing"). Searching for him is Winifred, who at last understands her husband and the damage that was done to him by Miss Andrew ("Being Mrs Banks (Reprise)").
When the children return to Number 17, Mary sets Caruso, Miss Andrew's lark, free from his cage. This leads to confrontation between the two nannies, ending with Miss Andrew having a taste of her own medicine as she is put in a large birdcage and vanishes down below
("Brimstone and Treacle Part 2"). Winifred and then George return at this point, surprised but pleased that Miss Andrew has "left".
On their next adventure, Bert introduces the children to his friends the chimney sweeps ("Step in Time
"). The sweeps' dance eventually enters the house, causing chaos. As the sweeps quickly exit, George receives a telegram from the bank requesting his presence there. George assumes that it is to seal his fate, and decides it's time to sell the family heirloom. However, the vase is shattered accidentally by Mrs. Brill, who goes into a despairing shock since she had been cleaning it from the top of the shelf. When she is being led away for comfort, George goes to clean the broken pile himself, to find it reveal a collection of gingerbread stars from his childhood. This leads to a brief moment of reflection for George ("A Man Has Dreams
/ A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)
"). After shaking hands with Bert, George leaves to meet the Chairman of the Bank.
At the children's encouragement, Winifred decides to follow her heart and be at George's side at the bank ("Anything Can Happen"). Unseen to anyone else, Mary takes Jane and Michael to follow, where they watch the unfolding events.
At the bank, George is shocked to learn the truth about his choice: far from ruining the bank, he has made a fortune. They ask for the word that made them so successful, which George admits to be Mary Poppins' word, ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Reprise)
"). Winifred, arriving to defend her husband, finds instead he is the hero of the hour. After she mentions Miss Andrew's name to the Bank Manager, the old man too exclaims "the Holy Terror," which hints that he too might have suffered under the wicked nanny. George apologizes for underestimating her, and together they return to the house ("Anything Can Happen (Reprise)").
Mary realizes that with the family reunited and happy, her task is done. With regret she says goodbye to Bert with a kiss, and sets off ("A Spoonful of Sugar (Farewell Reprise)
"). Jane and Michael accept that Mary is leaving them and they tell Mary Poppins that they'll never forget her. The two children watch as their parents waltz happily together and Mary flies high above the audience, disappearing in a flash.
, but features elements of both the film and the original books
. The dancing penguins in the "Jolly Holiday" sequence and the tea party on the ceiling at Uncle Albert's from the film have been removed altogether (although a sharp-eyed audience member may catch a quick cameo appearance). In their place are dancing statues and a visit to Mrs Corry's shop, both taken from the books.
The musical places more emphasis on Jane and Michael being naughty and their parents being dysfunctional. Jane and Michael are constantly answering back and fighting, necessitating a sequence where Mary (it is implied) causes the toys in their nursery to come to life and berate them via the song "Temper Temper" (changed to "Playing the Game" in later productions). George Banks has been expanded from the film: in the musical it is revealed that he had a difficult childhood in which he was ignored by his parents (Jane and Michael's paternal grandparents) and was placed under the care of a fearsome nanny named Ms. Andrew. This nanny, Ms. Andrew, makes an appearance in the musical as the polar opposite of Mary Poppins, advocating "brimstone and treacle" instead of "a spoonful of sugar". Winifred Banks is no longer the suffragette of the film, but a former actress who is struggling to fulfil her husband's expectations of her. The run on the bank caused by Michael is cut, and George Banks is not fired from his job.
A number of musical sequences have been modified from their purpose in the film. These are:
Act II
* Not included in the Original London Cast recording.
^ "Playing the Game" replaced "Temper, Temper" in 2009.
Deleted Songs (from the film)
Songs that were in the original movie but omitted from the musical are:
A deleted song for Mrs. Banks was called "What I Can Do," according to an interview with George Stiles
and Richard Sherman. It was thought to be a sort of 1920s-style number, so they later wrote "Being Mrs. Banks" instead.
Walt Disney Theatrical
Disney Theatrical Group, also known as Disney Theatrical Productions, is the stageplay and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company...
musical based on the similarly titled series of children's books
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
by P. L. Travers
P. L. Travers
Pamela Lyndon Travers OBE was an Australian novelist, actress and journalist, popularly remembered for her series of children's novels about the mystical and magical nanny Mary Poppins...
and the Disney 1964 film
Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
. The West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production opened in December 2004 and received two Olivier Awards
Laurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreography. The musical features the film's music and lyrics by the Academy Award winning Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
, along with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles
George Stiles
George William Stiles is an English composer of musicals for stage and screen.-Education:From 1974 to 1979, he was educated at Gresham's School, in Norfolk.George Stiles also went to Exeter University.-Collaboration with Anthony Drewe:...
and Anthony Drewe
Anthony Drewe
Anthony Drewe is a British lyricist and book writer for Broadway and West End musicals. He is best known for his collaborations with George Stiles.-Work with George Stiles:*additional songs for the musical Mary Poppins*Tutankhamun*Honk!...
. The book was written by Julian Fellowes
Julian Fellowes
Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, DL , known as Julian Fellowes, is an English actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter, as well as a Conservative peer.-Early life:...
. The musical was directed by Richard Eyre
Richard Eyre
Sir Richard Charles Hastings Eyre CBE is an English director of film, theatre, television, and opera.-Biography:Eyre was educated at Sherborne School, an independent school for boys in the market town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset in south-west England, followed by Peterhouse at the University...
and co-directed by Matthew Bourne
Matthew Bourne
Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London...
, who also acted as co-choreographer with Stephen Mear
Stephen Mear
Stephen Mear is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre. In 2005, Mear and co-choreographer Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins...
. A Broadway production with a near-identical creative team opened in November 2006, with only minor changes from the West End version. It received seven Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations, including Best Musical
Tony Award for Best Musical
This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack...
, winning for Best Scenic Design.
The stage musical is a fusion of various elements from the film
Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
and the books
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
. Some elements from the Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
series of children's books that had been omitted from the film were restored, such as the walking statue and the ladders rising to the stars. Others were removed, such as the scene in which Uncle Albert gets caught on the ceiling, laughing.
Development
In 1993, theatrical producer Cameron MackintoshCameron Mackintosh
Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York...
met Pamela Travers and acquired the rights to develop a stage play adaptation of her Mary Poppins books. In 2001, Mackintosh and the head of Disney Theatrical Thomas Schumacher
Thomas Schumacher
Thomas Schumacher is a theatrical producer, currently president of Disney Theatrical Group, the theatrical production arm of The Walt Disney Company.-Biography:...
opened talks on a possible collaboration, so that the stage play would be able to use the songs from the Disney film. With both sides committed, a preliminary outline of the show was written in 2002.
Around this time songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe heard about the project, and independently wrote a demo version of a new introductory song for the character of Mary, titled "Practically Perfect". They submitted the song to Mackintosh, and due to his positive response, were officially brought on to the creative team. Julian Fellowes was brought on to write the show's script because of his "clear understanding of the social niceties of the English class system that prevailed in the Edwardian era".
A workshop of the show was held at the end of 2003 at the rehearsal room at London's Old Vic Theatre, using the cast of My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
, which had just closed in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
. After four weeks of rehearsals at Sadler's Wells, the production moved to Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, where an out-of-town tryout opened at the Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol Hippodrome
The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre in the centre of Bristol, England with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. It frequently features West End theatre shows when they tour the UK as well regular visits by Welsh National Opera, and an annual pantomime.- History :The theatre was...
on September 15, 2004.
Original West End production
Cameron MackintoshCameron Mackintosh
Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York...
's stage adaptation of Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
had its world premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol Hippodrome
The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre in the centre of Bristol, England with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. It frequently features West End theatre shows when they tour the UK as well regular visits by Welsh National Opera, and an annual pantomime.- History :The theatre was...
starting with previews from September 15, 2004, before officially opening on September 18 for a limited engagement until November 6. The production then moved to the Prince Edward Theatre
Prince Edward Theatre
The Prince Edward Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Old Compton Street, just north of Leicester Square, in the City of Westminster.The theatre was designed in 1930 by Edward A. Stone, with an interior designed by Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet...
on December 15, 2004. The role of Mary was played by Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly is an English actress and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name.-Musical theatre:...
, who subsequently won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the role, and the role of Bert was played by Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production...
. Notable replacements have included Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen is a British stage actress who made her Broadway debut on 9 October 2008 at the New Amsterdam Theatre playing the title role of Mary Poppins...
and Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare began her career as an English stage actress who has played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the title character of Mary Poppins on the West End and UK stage...
as Mary Poppins and Gavin Creel
Gavin Creel
Gavin James Creel is an American actor, singer and song writer.Born in Findlay, Ohio, Creel received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre at the University of Michigan in 1998. Creel, who is openly gay, is a regular on the LGBT RFamilyVacations cruise with Rosie O'Donnell...
as Bert.
On March 17, 2005, Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews
Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, DBE is an English film and stage actress, singer, and author. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honors...
, who played Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (character)
Mary Poppins is a fictional character and the protagonist of P. L. Travers' Mary Poppins books and all of its adaptations. She is a magical nanny of unknown origins who arrives at the Banks home in Cherry Tree Lane where she is given charge of the Banks children and teaches them valuable lessons...
in the film
Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
, visited the show as a guest. She appeared onstage during the curtain calls, where she gave a speech recalling her own memories from making the film and praising the cast for their new interpretation.
The production closed on January 12, 2008, after a run of more than three years.
Original Broadway production
New Amsterdam Theatre
The New Amsterdam Theatre is a Broadway theater located at 214 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in the Theatre District of Manhattan, New York City, off of Times Square...
after previews from October 14. Broadway performer Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown is an actress who is best known for playing the title character in the United States national tour and Broadway productions of Mary Poppins.-Career:...
was brought on board to play the title role, and Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production...
, who had originated the role of Bert in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production, reprised his role in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production. The rest of the original cast included Daniel H. Jenkins
Daniel H. Jenkins
Daniel H. Jenkins is an American actor, the son of Ken Jenkins and Joan Patchen. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1985 for his role as Huckleberry Finn in Big River, his Broadway debut after he spent two years working with Actors Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. He also played one of the lead...
as George Banks, Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker is an American musical theatre actress and soprano who has appeared in several prominent Broadway productions.-Life and career:...
as Winifred Banks, Katherine Doherty
Katherine Doherty
Katherine Leigh Doherty is an American child actress who has performed in the Broadway cast of "Mary Poppins" as Jane Banks.She appeared on the Disney Channel show "Disney 365" giving a tour of the Mary Poppins set....
, Kathryn Fraughnan, and Delaney Moro as Jane Banks, and Matthew Gumley
Matthew Gumley
Matthew David Gumley is a child actor.-Broadway productions: *Elf Original Cast *Addams Family Original Cast...
, Alexander Scheitinger, and Henry Hodges
Henry Hodges
Henry Hodges is an American actor and singer. Beginning his acting career in regional theatre at the age of four, Hodges is best known for his musical theatre roles on Broadway; starring as "Chip" in Beauty and the Beast, as "Jeremy Potts" in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and as "Michael Banks" in Mary...
as Michael Banks. Starting on 9 October 2008, the role of Mary was played by Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen is a British stage actress who made her Broadway debut on 9 October 2008 at the New Amsterdam Theatre playing the title role of Mary Poppins...
and Bert was played by Adam Fiorentino. Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly is an English actress and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name.-Musical theatre:...
, who originated the role of Mary in London, officially took over the role on Broadway on October 12, 2009. Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominee Christian Borle
Christian Borle
Christian Borle is an American actor. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Borle has been primarily featured as an actor in Broadway productions....
joined the cast the same day as Bert. Nicolas Dromard replaced Borle on July 16, 2010, on a limited engagement through August 22, 2010. Gavin Lee returned the role of Bert on August 24, 2010 and was reunited with former London co-star Laura Michelle Kelly. Ashley Brown will return to the role of Mary Poppins in the Broadway production from March 8, 2011 to July 17, 2011 while Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly
Laura Michelle Kelly is an English actress and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name.-Musical theatre:...
is away filming a movie. Kelly will return to role on July 19, 2011.
The Broadway production differed from the London production in that the "Jolly Holiday
Jolly Holiday
"Jolly Holiday" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins. It was composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung in the film by Bert and Mary in the pastel fantasy sequence before reaching the carousel...
" sequence was staged in full technicolour instead of the gray tones of the London show, and in "Anything Can Happen" the stairs to the heavens were replaced by a large version of Mary Poppins' umbrella entering from the stage floor. These changes were later transferred back to the West End production. Most recently, a new song has been added to the score, entitled "Playing the Game". This replaces the already new "Temper, Temper" in the first act. This change has been added to all current and future productions of the show.
The Broadway version received mixed reviews ranging from enthusiastic to mediocre. Many critics praised the show for its technical merits. Despite the mixed reviews, the show has been regularly performing well at the box office since its opening. After running for 52 weeks, the show recouped all its original investment.
On July 16, 2011, the Broadway production surpassed Pippin
Pippin (musical)
Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto...
to become the 30th longest running show in Broadway history.
Original Australian production
The first Australian production began previews at Her Majesty's TheatreHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne
Her Majesty's Theatre is a 1706 seat theatre in Melbourne, Australia. Built in 1886, it is located at 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. It is classified by the National Trust of Australia and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register....
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on the 14 July 2010. The show officially opened on the 29 July. The cast includes Australian theatre icons Marina Prior
Marina Prior
Marina Prior is an Australian singer and actress.- Early life :When she was a young child her parents returned to Australia and she grew up in Melbourne, attending Syndal South Primary School and Korowa Anglican Girls' School...
as Mrs Banks, Debra Byrne
Debra Byrne
-Career:Byrne made her television debut on Brian and the Juniors, an early predecessor of Young Talent Time, which was hosted by a young Brian Naylor. She stayed with the show for 12 months. In 1971 she was cast as one of the original six Young Talent Time cast members...
as The Bird Woman, Philip Quast
Philip Quast
Philip Quast is an Australian actor perhaps best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the stage musical version of Les Misérables, or for appearances in numerous Australian soap operas including Sons and Daughters, The Young Doctors and Police Rescue.-Personal life:Quast was born in 1957 in...
as Mr Banks, Judi Connelli
Judi Connelli
Judi Connelli AM is an award-winning singer and actress.She is best known for her career in opera and stage musicals...
as Miss Andrew, Matt Lee as Bert, Sally Anne Upton as Mrs Brill, and Christopher Rickerby as Robertson Ay. Verity Hunt-Ballard plays the title character, Mary Poppins. Hunt-Ballard was awarded the role late in the casting stage, after a long and exhaustive search. The Melbourne production closed on April 1, 2011. It was also confirmed that the musical would play Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
at the Capitol Theatre
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
The Capitol Theatre is a historic theatre building located at 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia.-History:The Capitol Theatre is at the former site of the Belmore Markets. The latter were built in 1891 by George McRae, City Architect, and the structural engineer Norman Selfe, but were...
starting in April 2011 and will conclude its run mid December 2011. An Australian Cast Recording was released on February 18, 2011. The musical will also play at the Lyric Theatre in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
starting in December 2011.
National tours
For the touring productions of the show, scenic designer Bob CrowleyBob Crowley
Bob Crowley is a theatre director, scenic and costume designer.Born in Cork, Ireland, he is the brother of director John Crowley...
changed the sets, making the Banks' Household smaller in size, and deleting numerous intermediate scenes, so that smaller theatres could accommodate the large-scale demands of the production.
A U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tour of the London production commenced on June 4, 2008 and ended on April 18, 2009, with stops at venues including the Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth, Devon, England is "the largest and best attended regional producing theatre in the UK and the leading promoter of theatre in the south west", according to Arts Council England...
, Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh Playhouse
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a former cinema in Edinburgh, Scotland which now hosts touring musicals and music concerts. Its capacity is 3,059, making it the UK's largest working theatre in terms of audience capacity....
, and the Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of . Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. The original cast featured Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen is a Welsh actress who has played various roles on stage in the West End and at other venues across London and the UK. She recently played the role of Mary Poppins on the First National Tour of America...
as Mary Poppins, Daniel Crossley as Bert, Martin Ball
Martin Ball
Martin Ball is an English theatre and television actor. He was born and grew up in Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. He trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, and graduated in 1992.-Career:...
as George Banks and Louise Bowden as Winifred Banks. Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen is a Welsh actress who has played various roles on stage in the West End and at other venues across London and the UK. She recently played the role of Mary Poppins on the First National Tour of America...
performed the role of Mary Poppins from June 4 to October 25, 2008 in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
and Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare began her career as an English stage actress who has played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the title character of Mary Poppins on the West End and UK stage...
took over the role of Mary Poppins on October 27, 2008 and performed in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, where the tour concluded.
A U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour began previews on March 11, 2009 with opening night on March 25, featuring Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert respectively. The tour started at the Cadillac Palace Theatre
Cadillac Palace Theatre
The Cadillac Palace Theatre is operated by Broadway In Chicago, a Nederlander Presentation. It is located at 151 West Randolph Street in the Chicago Loop area downtown.-History:...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and is scheduled to play in many US cities. On November 15, 2009 during opening night in Los Angeles Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke
Richard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
(who played Bert in the film) appeared during the encore onstage and praised Lee’s performance in the role. On Jan. 22, 2010 to raise funds for a local charity and as part of a D23
D23 (Disney)
D23 is the first official Disney fan club for dedicated fans, sponsored by the Walt Disney Company. The Charter Year of D23 was in 2009.-History:...
event, Van Dyke did a cameo of his other role from the original film of Mr. Dawes Sr. The song "Temper, Temper" was cut from this production and replaced with a new musical number called "Playing the Game." The song also replaced "Temper, Temper" in the Broadway production beginning October 12, 2009. Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen
Caroline Sheen is a Welsh actress who has played various roles on stage in the West End and at other venues across London and the UK. She recently played the role of Mary Poppins on the First National Tour of America...
took over the role of Mary from Brown in February 2010 in Tempe, Arizona and will play the role until February 2011. Dominic Roberts, who was an original Broadway and Tour cast member, took over the role of Bert from Gavin Lee August 17, 2010 for a limited engagement. Nicolas Dromard, who previously understudied the role of Bert on Broadway, took over the role from Dominic Roberts on September 10, 2010 and will play the role until September 2011. Steffanie Leigh joined the cast as Mary Poppins on February 8, 2011.
International productions
The first foreign-language production opened on October 18, 2008 in Göteborg, SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
at the Göteborgs Operan. This production is externally licensed by Disney Theatrical to Josef Weinberger Limited, and performed entirely in Swedish, with the book translated by Magnus Lindman. The musical director was Björn Dobbelaere, with actors Linda Olsson as Mary and Magnus Borén as Bert. This production closed on March 14, 2009.
Another foreign-language production will open in the Fortis Circus Theater in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
(Scheveningen), in April 2010, presented by Disney Theatrical directly. Noortje Herlaar is Mary Poppins and William Spaaij is Bert. The actress who plays the role of Mary Poppins was found in a TV-show: Op zoek naar Mary Poppins
Op zoek naar Mary Poppins
Op zoek naar Mary Poppins was a 2009 talent show-themed television series produced by the AVRO in the Netherlands and broadcast on AVRO.It premiered in late August 2009...
(Searching for Mary Poppins)
The Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
production opened at the Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
City Theatre on August 11, 2009 and will run until May 8, 2010.The Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
production opened in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Det Ny Teater on February 18, 2010.The role of Mary is played by Charlotte Guldberg and the role of Bert is played by Kristian Studsgaard.A Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
production opened in Budapest, Hungary in September 2009. A Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
production opened in Brno, Czech Republic in November 2010. A Estonian production opened in Tartu, Estonia in November 2011 and same production in Tallinn, Estonia in December 2011 (www.vanemuine.ee/poppins )
In Brazil, two or three companies are fighting for the rights to produce the show. No opening date was released yet.
Act I
Bert, a man of many professions, introduces the audience to Cherry Tree Lane ("Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee
"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
/Cherry Tree Lane- Part 1"). Number 17 is where the Banks family lives: George and Winifred Banks, their two naughty children Jane and Michael, their cook, Mrs. Brill and their odd-job man, Robertson Ay. Things are not going well, for Jane and Michael are out of control and as the show starts, their latest nanny, Katie Nanna, storms out. After that, Mrs. Brill and Robertson Ay complain about living in a "madhouse." The children decide to write the advertisement for a new nanny ("The Perfect Nanny
The Perfect Nanny
"The Perfect Nanny" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. This song is heard at the beginning of the film, and its theme is heard through the film as a leitmotif for the children. It is sung by the characters of Jane Banks ...
"), but George Banks has a very different idea of what constitutes the perfect nanny and he tears up the piece of paper and throws it in the fireplace. Within moments Mary Poppins arrives and takes charge of the Banks children, having every confidence in her own qualifications and merits ("Practically Perfect").
On the children's first outing to the park, they meet Bert and, despite their reservations about his ragged clothes and dirty face, Mary teaches them that they must learn to look past appearances. To illustrate the point, Mary brings the park statues, including a mythological figure named Neleus, to life ("Jolly Holiday
Jolly Holiday
"Jolly Holiday" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins. It was composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung in the film by Bert and Mary in the pastel fantasy sequence before reaching the carousel...
").
While Mary manages the children, other problems lie with their parents. Winifred Banks is aware that she is somehow disappointing both her children and her husband ("Being Mrs Banks"). George Banks, on the other hand, can't understand why she finds the role of wife and mother so difficult ("Cherry Tree Lane (reprise)"). In an effort to please her husband, Winifred sends out invitations for a smart tea party. Mrs. Brill makes the preparations, while telling an eager Robertson Ay to keep his hands off. The children inadvertently sabotage the kitchen preparations, but Mary Poppins sorts it out with a lesson ("A Spoonful of Sugar
A Spoonful of Sugar
"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
"). However, it is then revealed that none of the invitees are coming.
Mary takes the children to visit their father at the bank where he works ("Precision and Order"). There George is busy dealing with possible investment clients: first an ambitious man named Von Hussler who has an elaborate money-making scheme, and then a middle-class man named Northbrook who has a simple factory project. George is furious when Mary turns up with the children, but an innocent question asked by Jane (What's more important, a good man or a good idea?) makes him realise how much his values have changed ("A Man Has Dreams
A Man Has Dreams
"A Man Has Dreams" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song melody is a slowed down version of "The Life I Lead" which serves as Banks' leit motif as he was tired...
") since he was an idealistic young man. He then decides to accept Northbrook's project, and rejects Von Hussler's, but unfortunately things take a turn for the worse afterwards.
Outside St. Paul's Cathedral, Mary introduces the children to the Bird Woman ("Feed the Birds"). Jane is suspicious of her, but Michael responds to the Bird Woman and throws crumbs for the birds. On the trip home, the children meet the enigmatic Mrs. Corry who runs a magic sweet shop that also sells words ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an English word, with 34 letters, that was in the song with the same title in the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke...
").
The children return home in high spirits, unaware that things have gone wrong for their father. Unknown to them, George's decision to reject Von Hussler has cost the bank dearly, and he is suspended without pay. George explodes with rage at the children and they are sent to the nursery. Reacting to her father's outburst, Jane flies into a fury, ignoring Mary Poppins' words of warning about controlling her temper, and also has a fight with Michael over a doll. The frightening consequence of her anger becomes apparent as Jane and Michael's toys come to life and join Mary in teaching them a lesson in how to take better care of their belongings and toys (formerly "Temper Temper", now "Playing the Game").
Realising that Jane and Michael still have a lot to learn, Mary decides to leave Cherry Tree Lane ("Chim Chim Cher-ee
Chim Chim Cher-ee
"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
- Rooftop Duet"), to bring them to their senses. Her distraught charges find a note saying that perhaps they will see Mary Poppins again eventually.
Act II
Unfortunately, in a misguided attempt to please her husband, Mrs Banks arranges for his childhood nanny, Miss Andrew, to take over from the suddenly departed Mary ("Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise)"). At the very sight of her, a terrified Mr. Banks flees, exclaiming "the Holy Terror!" To everyone's shock and dismay, Miss Andrew is a brutal and cruel tyrantTyrant
A tyrant was originally one who illegally seized and controlled a governmental power in a polis. Tyrants were a group of individuals who took over many Greek poleis during the uprising of the middle classes in the sixth and seventh centuries BC, ousting the aristocratic governments.Plato and...
, rejecting any notion of a "spoonful of sugar" in favour of her own terrible elixir ("Brimstone and Treacle Part 1").
Terrified of their new nanny, the children escape to the park and find their good friend Bert, who cheers them up and helps Michael fulfil his dream of flying a kite ("Let's Go Fly a Kite
Let's Go Fly a Kite
"Let's Go Fly A Kite" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. This song is heard at the end of the film when the story's protagonist, George Banks , realizes that his family is more important than his job. He mends his son's kite and...
"). This marks the return of Mary Poppins. Jane and Michael are thrilled to be reunited with her, and then quickly tell her of the changes that have gone on at Number 17.
When the children return to Number 17, Mary sets Caruso, Miss Andrew's lark, free from his cage. This leads to confrontation between the two nannies, ending with Miss Andrew having a taste of her own medicine as she is put in a large birdcage and vanishes down below
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
("Brimstone and Treacle Part 2"). Winifred and then George return at this point, surprised but pleased that Miss Andrew has "left".
On their next adventure, Bert introduces the children to his friends the chimney sweeps ("Step in Time
Step in Time
"Step in Time" is a song and dance number from Walt Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The choreography for this song was provided by Marc Breaux and Dee Dee Wood. It is sung by Bert, the chimney sweep and the other chimney sweeps on...
"). The sweeps' dance eventually enters the house, causing chaos. As the sweeps quickly exit, George receives a telegram from the bank requesting his presence there. George assumes that it is to seal his fate, and decides it's time to sell the family heirloom. However, the vase is shattered accidentally by Mrs. Brill, who goes into a despairing shock since she had been cleaning it from the top of the shelf. When she is being led away for comfort, George goes to clean the broken pile himself, to find it reveal a collection of gingerbread stars from his childhood. This leads to a brief moment of reflection for George ("A Man Has Dreams
A Man Has Dreams
"A Man Has Dreams" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song melody is a slowed down version of "The Life I Lead" which serves as Banks' leit motif as he was tired...
/ A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)
A Spoonful of Sugar
"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
"). After shaking hands with Bert, George leaves to meet the Chairman of the Bank.
At the children's encouragement, Winifred decides to follow her heart and be at George's side at the bank ("Anything Can Happen"). Unseen to anyone else, Mary takes Jane and Michael to follow, where they watch the unfolding events.
At the bank, George is shocked to learn the truth about his choice: far from ruining the bank, he has made a fortune. They ask for the word that made them so successful, which George admits to be Mary Poppins' word, ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Reprise)
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an English word, with 34 letters, that was in the song with the same title in the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke...
"). Winifred, arriving to defend her husband, finds instead he is the hero of the hour. After she mentions Miss Andrew's name to the Bank Manager, the old man too exclaims "the Holy Terror," which hints that he too might have suffered under the wicked nanny. George apologizes for underestimating her, and together they return to the house ("Anything Can Happen (Reprise)").
Mary realizes that with the family reunited and happy, her task is done. With regret she says goodbye to Bert with a kiss, and sets off ("A Spoonful of Sugar (Farewell Reprise)
A Spoonful of Sugar
"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
"). Jane and Michael accept that Mary is leaving them and they tell Mary Poppins that they'll never forget her. The two children watch as their parents waltz happily together and Mary flies high above the audience, disappearing in a flash.
Differences from the film
The stage musical is not a direct adaptation of the Disney filmMary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
, but features elements of both the film and the original books
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
. The dancing penguins in the "Jolly Holiday" sequence and the tea party on the ceiling at Uncle Albert's from the film have been removed altogether (although a sharp-eyed audience member may catch a quick cameo appearance). In their place are dancing statues and a visit to Mrs Corry's shop, both taken from the books.
The musical places more emphasis on Jane and Michael being naughty and their parents being dysfunctional. Jane and Michael are constantly answering back and fighting, necessitating a sequence where Mary (it is implied) causes the toys in their nursery to come to life and berate them via the song "Temper Temper" (changed to "Playing the Game" in later productions). George Banks has been expanded from the film: in the musical it is revealed that he had a difficult childhood in which he was ignored by his parents (Jane and Michael's paternal grandparents) and was placed under the care of a fearsome nanny named Ms. Andrew. This nanny, Ms. Andrew, makes an appearance in the musical as the polar opposite of Mary Poppins, advocating "brimstone and treacle" instead of "a spoonful of sugar". Winifred Banks is no longer the suffragette of the film, but a former actress who is struggling to fulfil her husband's expectations of her. The run on the bank caused by Michael is cut, and George Banks is not fired from his job.
A number of musical sequences have been modified from their purpose in the film. These are:
- "A Spoonful of SugarA Spoonful of Sugar"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
" - Originally sung when Mary first arrives at the Banks home; has been moved to a completely new sequence later in the show where the children destroy the Banks kitchen and Mary helps them fix it. It is also referred to in "Brimstone and Treacle Part 2" and featured briefly as a reprise at the finale. - "SupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an English word, with 34 letters, that was in the song with the same title in the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke...
" - Originally sung during the park outing; has been moved to Mrs. Corry's sweet shop outing. It is also sung when George goes to his workplace (during the Anything Can Happen sequence) and during the curtain call. The song itself is also distinctly different, as the word is spelled, both vocally and physically. - "Feed the Birds" - Originally sung by Mary before the Banks children visit their father's workplace; has been moved to after the visit and is now sung as a duet between Mary and the Birdwoman.
- "Let's Go Fly a KiteLet's Go Fly a Kite"Let's Go Fly A Kite" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. This song is heard at the end of the film when the story's protagonist, George Banks , realizes that his family is more important than his job. He mends his son's kite and...
" - Originally sung as the finale by the Banks family at the end of the film; has been moved to near the beginning of Act 2, where it is sung by Bert and the Banks children.
Songs
Act I- Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
(Opening) - Bert - Cherry Tree Lane Part 1 - George and Winifred Banks, Jane and Michael, Mrs. Brill, and Robertson Ay
- The Perfect NannyThe Perfect Nanny"The Perfect Nanny" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. This song is heard at the beginning of the film, and its theme is heard through the film as a leitmotif for the children. It is sung by the characters of Jane Banks ...
- Jane and Michael - Cherry Tree Lane Part 2 - George and Winifred Banks, Jane and Michael, Mrs. Brill, and Robertson Ay
- Practically Perfect - Mary Poppins, Jane, and Michael
- Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
(Park Reprise)* - Bert - Jolly HolidayJolly Holiday"Jolly Holiday" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins. It was composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung in the film by Bert and Mary in the pastel fantasy sequence before reaching the carousel...
- Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Neleus, and the Statues - Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise) / Being Mrs Banks / Jolly HolidayJolly Holiday"Jolly Holiday" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins. It was composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung in the film by Bert and Mary in the pastel fantasy sequence before reaching the carousel...
(Reprise) - George, Winifred, Jane, and Michael - A Spoonful of SugarA Spoonful of Sugar"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
- Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Robertson Ay, and Winifred - Precision and Order* - Bank Chairman and the Bank Clerks
- A Man Has DreamsA Man Has Dreams"A Man Has Dreams" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song melody is a slowed down version of "The Life I Lead" which serves as Banks' leit motif as he was tired...
* - George Banks - Feed the Birds - Bird Woman and Mary Poppins
- SupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an English word, with 34 letters, that was in the song with the same title in the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke...
- Mary Poppins, Mrs. Corry, Bert, Jane, Michael, Fannie, Annie, and Customers - SupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidociousSupercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an English word, with 34 letters, that was in the song with the same title in the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke...
(Encore)* - Bert and Customers - Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
(Ups and Downs Reprise)* - Bert - Temper, Temper (Playing the Game)^ - Valentine, William, Mr. Punch, the Glamorous Doll, and other Toys
- Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
(Rooftop Duet) - Bert and Mary Poppins
Act II
- Entr'acte: Run Away - Orchestra
- Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise)* - Mrs. Brill, Michael, Jane, Winifred, Robertson Ay, and George
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 1 - Miss Andrew
- Let's Go Fly a KiteLet's Go Fly a Kite"Let's Go Fly A Kite" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. This song is heard at the end of the film when the story's protagonist, George Banks , realizes that his family is more important than his job. He mends his son's kite and...
- Bert, Park Keeper, Jane, and Michael - Good for Nothing - George
- Being Mrs Banks (Reprise) - Winifred
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 2 - Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew
- Practically Perfect (Reprise)* - Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins
- Chim Chim Cher-eeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
(Rooftop Reprise)* - Bert - Step in TimeStep in Time"Step in Time" is a song and dance number from Walt Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The choreography for this song was provided by Marc Breaux and Dee Dee Wood. It is sung by Bert, the chimney sweep and the other chimney sweeps on...
- Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, and the Sweeps - Step in TimeStep in Time"Step in Time" is a song and dance number from Walt Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The choreography for this song was provided by Marc Breaux and Dee Dee Wood. It is sung by Bert, the chimney sweep and the other chimney sweeps on...
(Encore)* - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, and the Sweeps - A Man Has DreamsA Man Has Dreams"A Man Has Dreams" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song melody is a slowed down version of "The Life I Lead" which serves as Banks' leit motif as he was tired...
/ A Spoonful of SugarA Spoonful of Sugar"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
- George and Bert - Anything Can Happen - Jane, Michael Mary Poppins, and the Company
- A Spoonful of SugarA Spoonful of Sugar"A Spoonful Of Sugar" is a song from Walt Disney's 1964 film and the musical versions of Mary Poppins, composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman....
(Farewell Reprise) / A Shooting Star - Mary Poppins and Orchestra
Deleted Songs (from the film)
Songs that were in the original movie but omitted from the musical are:
- Sister SuffragetteSister Suffragette"Sister Suffragette" is the pro-suffrage protest song pastiche sung by Mrs. Winifred Banks in the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins. The melody of the song was originally used for a scrapped piece called "Practically Perfect". It was written and composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B...
- The Life I LeadThe Life I Lead"The Life I Lead" is a song from the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Academy Award winning music arranger, Irwin Kostal used the theme from this song as the leit motif of the protagonist, "George Banks" as it most expresses the way he...
(replaced by the thematically similar Precision and Order) - Stay AwakeStay Awake"Stay Awake" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.It is a lullaby sung by Mary Poppins to the children Jane and Michael...
- I Love To LaughI Love to Laugh"I Love to Laugh", also called "We Love to Laugh", is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins. It was composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung in the film by "Uncle Albert" , and "Bert" as they levitate uncontrollably toward the ceiling, eventually joined by...
- A British BankThe Life I Lead"The Life I Lead" is a song from the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Academy Award winning music arranger, Irwin Kostal used the theme from this song as the leit motif of the protagonist, "George Banks" as it most expresses the way he...
- Fidelity Fiduciary BankFidelity Fiduciary Bank"Fidelity Fiduciary Bank" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.Written in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan, it is a song sung by the stodgy old bankers, led by the "Elder Mr. Dawes" , to the two children Jane and Michael, in...
A deleted song for Mrs. Banks was called "What I Can Do," according to an interview with George Stiles
George Stiles
George William Stiles is an English composer of musicals for stage and screen.-Education:From 1974 to 1979, he was educated at Gresham's School, in Norfolk.George Stiles also went to Exeter University.-Collaboration with Anthony Drewe:...
and Richard Sherman. It was thought to be a sort of 1920s-style number, so they later wrote "Being Mrs. Banks" instead.
Recordings
The original London cast recording of the show was released shortly after its West End premiere. It features most of the major musical numbers from the show's score. When the Broadway production opened, a recording was released featuring several songs with the original American cast. On 18 February 2011, the Australian cast recording was released; the first recording to include the changes made to the show's score since its first London production.Original London production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Evening Standard Award | Best Musical | ||
| Best Director | Richard Eyre Richard Eyre Sir Richard Charles Hastings Eyre CBE is an English director of film, theatre, television, and opera.-Biography:Eyre was educated at Sherborne School, an independent school for boys in the market town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset in south-west England, followed by Peterhouse at the University... |
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| Best Designer | Bob Crowley Bob Crowley Bob Crowley is a theatre director, scenic and costume designer.Born in Cork, Ireland, he is the brother of director John Crowley... |
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| Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | |||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Gavin Lee Gavin Lee Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production... |
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| Best Actress in a Musical | Laura Michelle Kelly Laura Michelle Kelly Laura Michelle Kelly is an English actress and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name.-Musical theatre:... |
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| Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical | David Haig David Haig David Haig is an Olivier Award-winning English actor and FIPA Award-winning writer. He is known for his versatility, having played dramatic, serio-comic and comedic roles, playing characters of varied social classes... |
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| Best Director | Richard Eyre Richard Eyre Sir Richard Charles Hastings Eyre CBE is an English director of film, theatre, television, and opera.-Biography:Eyre was educated at Sherborne School, an independent school for boys in the market town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset in south-west England, followed by Peterhouse at the University... and Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... |
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| Best Theatre Choreographer | Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... and Stephen Mear Stephen Mear Stephen Mear is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre. In 2005, Mear and co-choreographer Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins... |
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| Best Set Design | Bob Crowley Bob Crowley Bob Crowley is a theatre director, scenic and costume designer.Born in Cork, Ireland, he is the brother of director John Crowley... |
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| Best Costume Design | ||||
| Best Lighting Design | Howard Harrison | |||
Original Broadway production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category... |
Outstanding Musical Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical was first awarded at the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since. Before the 21st Drama Desk Awards, acting awards were given without making distinctions between roles in straight dramas as opposed to musicals, nor were there... |
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| Outstanding Book of a Musical Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee which comprises New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors... |
Julian Fellowes Julian Fellowes Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, DL , known as Julian Fellowes, is an English actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter, as well as a Conservative peer.-Early life:... |
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| Outstanding Actress in a Musical Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical was first awarded at the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since... |
Ashley Brown Ashley Brown Ashley Brown is an actress who is best known for playing the title character in the United States national tour and Broadway productions of Mary Poppins.-Career:... |
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| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical was first awarded at the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since... |
Gavin Lee Gavin Lee Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production... |
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| Outstanding Choreography Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography -1970s:* 1970: Ron Field – Applause** No nominees* 1971: Michael Bennett – Follies and Donald Saddler – No, No, Nanette** No nominees* 1972: Patricia Birch – Grease and Jean Erdman – Two Gentlemen of Verona... |
Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... and Stephen Mear Stephen Mear Stephen Mear is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre. In 2005, Mear and co-choreographer Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins... |
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| Outstanding Set Design Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee composed of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors... |
Bob Crowley Bob Crowley Bob Crowley is a theatre director, scenic and costume designer.Born in Cork, Ireland, he is the brother of director John Crowley... |
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| Tony Award Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway... |
Best Musical Tony Award for Best Musical This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack... |
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| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical is awarded to the actor who was voted as the best actor in a musical play, whether a new production or a revival... |
Gavin Lee Gavin Lee Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production... |
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| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical This is a list of the winners and nominations of the Tony Award for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical. The award, introduced in 1950, was previously named as Best Performance by a Featured or Supporting Actress in a Musical until 1976.... |
Rebecca Luker Rebecca Luker Rebecca Luker is an American musical theatre actress and soprano who has appeared in several prominent Broadway productions.-Life and career:... |
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| Best Choreography Tony Award for Best Choreography -1940s:* 1947: Agnes de Mille – Brigadoon / Michael Kidd – Finian's Rainbow* 1948: Jerome Robbins – High Button Shoes* 1949: Gower Champion – Lend An Ear-1950s:* 1950: Helen Tamiris – Touch and Go* 1951: Michael Kidd – Guys and Dolls... |
Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... and Stephen Mear Stephen Mear Stephen Mear is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre. In 2005, Mear and co-choreographer Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins... |
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| Best Scenic Design | Bob Crowley Bob Crowley Bob Crowley is a theatre director, scenic and costume designer.Born in Cork, Ireland, he is the brother of director John Crowley... |
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| Best Costume Design Tony Award for Best Costume Design These are the winners and nominees for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. The award was first presented in 1947 and included both plays and musicals... |
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| Best Lighting Design Tony Award for Best Lighting Design This is a list of the winners of the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a play or musical, first presented in 1970. In 2005 the category was divided with each genre represented separately.-1970s:* 1970: Jo Mielziner – Child's Play... |
Howard Harrison | |||
Original Australian production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Helpmann Award Helpmann Award The Helpmann Awards recognize distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia's live performing arts sectors. The recognized disciplines include musical and physical theatre, contemporary and classical music, opera, and dance, with a comedy category introduced in 2006... |
Best Musical | ||
| Best Male Actor in a Musical | Matt Lee | |||
| Best Female Actor in a Musical | Verity Hunt-Ballard | |||
| Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Philip Quast Philip Quast Philip Quast is an Australian actor perhaps best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the stage musical version of Les Misérables, or for appearances in numerous Australian soap operas including Sons and Daughters, The Young Doctors and Police Rescue.-Personal life:Quast was born in 1957 in... |
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| Best Direction of a Musical | Richard Eyre Richard Eyre Sir Richard Charles Hastings Eyre CBE is an English director of film, theatre, television, and opera.-Biography:Eyre was educated at Sherborne School, an independent school for boys in the market town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset in south-west England, followed by Peterhouse at the University... and Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... |
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| Best Choreography in a Musical | Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne Matthew Bourne OBE is a British classical and contemporary ballet and dance choreographer.-Biography:Matthew Bourne was born in Hackney, London in 1960. He went to William Fitt and Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, London... and Stephen Mear Stephen Mear Stephen Mear is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre. In 2005, Mear and co-choreographer Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins... |
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| Best Music Direction | Stephen Brooker and Michael Tyack | |||
| Best Sound Design | Peter Grubb | |||
External links
- Mary Poppins - Broadway production website
- Mary Poppins - Australian production website
- Mary Poppins Song Lyrics - Lyrics to the songs
- Mark Bostridge on Mary Poppins, http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/hail-mary-547034.html