Mary Poppins Extended Through 2/7/2010 At Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that, due to popular demand, performances for the eagerly anticipated production of "Mary Poppins" at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles will be extended by four weeks.

"Mary Poppins," which begins performances on Friday, November 13, 2009, and opens Sunday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m., will now play through Sunday, February 7, 2010. Tickets for newly announced performances are currently on sale and can be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre, by phone at (213) 972-4400 and online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. For group sales (20 or more), call (213) 972-7231.

Heading up the company for "Mary Poppins" in its North American National Tour will be Ashley Brown, who originated the title role on Broadway, and Gavin Lee, who originated the role of Bert in the hit London and Broadway productions of "Mary Poppins."

"Mary Poppins," a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, "Mary Poppins" features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. "Mary Poppins" features set and costume design by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick.

Consistently among the top-grossing shows on Broadway, "Mary Poppins" continues in its third smash year at the New Amsterdam Theatre and recently celebrated its 1000th performance - a milestone reached by only a rare few number of shows in Broadway history. The Broadway production has grossed over $132 million to date and been seen by over 1.6 million theatergoers.

For her portrayal of Mary Poppins, Ashley Brown received Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for Best Actress. Brown was first discovered by Disney Theatrical Productions in 2004, shortly after her graduation from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Just a few months out of college, she landed the leading role of Kristen in a workshop of the touring production of Disney's "On the Record." She then was offered the role when the world premiere production launched later that year. Shortly after ending her run with "On The Record," Brown was offered the chance to star in "Beauty and the Beast" and made her Broadway debut as Belle in September 2005.

Gavin Lee made his Broadway debut with "Mary Poppins" after originating the role of Bert in the world premiere production in London's West End. Lee received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Bert, both in New York and London, and was the recipient of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor. Lee also received Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Olivier Award nominations for Best Actor. His London theatre credits include "Peggy Sue Got Married," "Contact," "Oklahoma!," Sondheim's "Saturday Night," "Crazy For You" and "Me and My Girl." In addition, he has appeared in the recent film adaptation of "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Beyond The Sea."

In Los Angeles, "Mary Poppins" will play at the Ahmanson Theatre Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8, Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 pm. Exceptions: No public performance on Wednesday, December 9 (student performance only). Holiday schedule: additional 2 p.m. performances on Wednesdays, November 25, December 23 and December 30; one performance only on Thursday, December 24 at 2 p.m. and one performance only on Thursday, December 31 at 6:30 p.m.; No performances on November 26, December 25 and January 1. Final week exceptions: Additional performance on February 4 at 2 p.m.; No 6:30 p.m. performance on February 7.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $92. Premium Ticket Packages are also available at select performances for $135 and $150, and include premium seating and a complimentary souvenir program.

 

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