Ashley Brown News

The touring production of MARY POPPINS that's currently gracing the stage of the Fox Theatre is 'practically perfect', featuring eye-popping special effects, a glorious set, and terrific performances that manage to capture the spirit of the 1964 Disney film, as well as the P.L. Travers books that inspired it. While some of the more beloved elements from the movie are noticeably absent, they've been replaced with sequences that are every bit as magical and engaging. This is a spectacular show that appeals to both children and adults.

On Sunday, August 9, Mary Poppins folded her umbrella for the final time at the State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland as the second city of the MARY POPPINS North American Tour completed its smash four-week engagement. Having performed for over 72,000 theater patrons and grossed an extraordinary $4.4 million at the box office, the tour continues on to St. Louis, Missouri to work its magic on audiences at the Fox Theatre beginning Thursday, August 13.

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce full casting for the St. Louis engagement of MARY POPPINS. St. Louis'smost eagerly anticipated stage production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on August 13 for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through August 30.

On Sunday, August 9, Mary Poppins folded her umbrella for the final time at the State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland as the second city of the MARY POPPINS North American Tour completed its smash four-week engagement. Having performed for over 72,000 theater patrons and grossed an extraordinary $4.4 million at the box office, the tour continues on to St. Louis, Missouri to work its magic on audiences at the Fox Theatre beginning Thursday, August 13.

Broadway Across America-Houston and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of Mary Poppins will go on sale to the public on Sunday, August 9 at 10 a.m. Houston's most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Hobby Center on October 22 through November 8. The opening night is October 22 at 8 p.m. Original Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, along with the entire original creative team, have reunited to bring this magical story of the world?s most famous nanny to audiences around North America.

Billy Elliot's Tony Award-winning actor Gregory Jbara delighted students as their special 'surprise guest' during the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensive (Session One).

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh Present 'Mary Poppins'. Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Book by Julian Fellowes, New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Co-Choreography by Stephen Mear. Co-Direction and Choreography by Matthew Bourne. Directed by Richard Eyre

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce full casting for the St. Louis engagement of MARY POPPINS. St. Louis'smost eagerly anticipated stage production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on August 13 for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through August 30.

Broadway Across America-Houston and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of Mary Poppins will go on sale to the public on Sunday, August 9 at 10 a.m. Houston?s most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Hobby Center on October 22 through November 8. The opening night is October 22 at 8 p.m. Original Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, along with the entire original creative team, have reunited to bring this magical story of the world?s most famous nanny to audiences around North America.

The Banks house in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's theatrical version of Mary Poppins is a wonder to behold. Designed by Bob Crowley, the huge structure opens like a storybook, spins to reveal more secrets and has the magical ability to cause a gasp of delight from both parents and children alike. If only the happenings that occur within the Banks household were nearly as memorable as that house.

After beginning her career in Cleveland in Disney's jukebox musical On the Record, Ashley Brown has triumphantly returned armed with an umbrella, British accent and the ability to fly.

Last night, Mary Poppins played its first performance at Playhouse Square's State Theatre and seemed to magically transfer audiences into the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City. It's not far-fetched to say that the touring production of 'Poppins' is the closest thing Cleveland audiences will get to the real Great White Way for quite some time. The show's set has been newly redesigned by the legendary Bob Crowley and all of the major special effects of the Broadway version have been recreated for this production. In addition, several cast members who originated their roles on Broadway are on the tour as well, including Ashley Brown as Mary and Gavin Lee as Bert.

Gavin Lee first took his bow as the beloved character of Bert five years ago when Mary Poppins began its first previews at the Bristol Hippodrome in England. Since then, he has performed the role at London?s Prince Edward Theatre, New York?s legendary New Amsterdam Theatre and, beginning Friday, will be taking his bows on the stage at Cleveland?s State Theatre in Playhouse Square.

Chicago's favorite nanny opened her umbrella and followed the winds eastward after an extremely successful 18 week engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Ending its Chicago stay on Sunday, July 12, 2009, MARY POPPINS performed for an amazing 300,000 theater patrons and grossed over $18.5 million at the box office.

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced two special additions to its 2009/10 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season-The Wizard of Oz, a new stage production celebrating the timeless 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland, and CATS, the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic

Only three weeks remain to see MARY POPPINS before the beloved nanny packs up her carpet bag, opens up her umbrella and flies out of Chicago. Thousands of theater-goers in Chicago have enjoyed this magical Broadway hit, since the National Tour launched in Chicago on March 11, 2009. MARY POPPINS will play through July 12, 2009 only at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Only five weeks remain to see MARY POPPINS before the 'east wind' takes her away. Entertaining thousands of theater-goers in Chicago since launching its National Tour in Chicago on March 11, 2009, MARY POPPINS will play through July 12, 2009 only at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Only seven weeks remain for Chicagoans to see MARY POPPINS at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, this Broadway hit has entertained thousands of Chicagoans since launching its National Tour in Chicago on March 11, 2009. MARY POPPINS will play through July 12, 2009 only.

Broadway In Chicago, in partnership with the City of Chicago, is pleased to present the annual BROADWAY IN CHICAGO CONCERT IN THE PARK, a fantastic, free event on Monday, June 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park (235 S. Columbus Drive). BROADWAY IN CHICAGO CONCERT IN THE PARK features some of Broadway's hottest shows during the city's legendary Taste of Chicago festival.

JERSEY BOYS and MARY POPPINS will make 1776 half price tickets available through the League of Chicago Theatres' Hot Tix program beginning Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available only to select performances Fourth of July week and will be available for purchase through Hot Tix at www.HotTix.org and at either one of the two Hot Tix booth locations (72 E. Randolph St. and 163 E. Pearson St.) while supplies last.