P.L. Travers News

Disney began production today on Saving Mr. Banks, the account of Walt Disney's twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to P.L. Travers' popular novel, Mary Poppins, and the testy partnership the upbeat filmmaker develops with the uptight author during the project's pre-production in 1961.

In this touring rendition of the P.L. Travers story (on which the 1964 Disney musical starring Julie Andrew and Dick Van Dyke was based), some of the telling in Julian Fellowes book is more "British" - darker -- than we might expect.

Producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh have announced full casting for Pittsburgh's return engagement of MARY POPPINS.

With construction of the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge nearing completion, Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment, today announced the inaugural production to launch the new theatre facility.

The beloved Disney classic, MARY POPPINS, is set to land in Kansas City at the Music Hall next year. The show will play a limited run from April 4-April 9, 2013. For tickets to MARY POPPINS' stop in Kansas City, visit www.ticketmaster.com/Music-Hall-Kansas-City-tickets-Kansas-City/venue/49167.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Casting news for ChiShakes' 'Sunday,' TATC's '42nd Street' and Paramount's 'Grease,' plus ALW and the eye-popping Marriott season, Chicago's first 'Q,' Super September along Belmont Avenue and much more!

Mary Poppins, which opened at the Ahmanson on August 10 and runs through September 2, proves to be the perfect film to turn into a show. Flashy, whimsical, and packed with songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Feed the Birds, "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Let's Go Fly A Kite" that had America humming in 1965, the film provided Julie Andrews with her movie debut and an Oscar to boot. In its present incarnation, it is a splashy riot of color, comedy and song that had the audience I saw it with fairly rapturous after every big number.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that flexible ticket packages including productions from the 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, August 15 at 10 a.m. Shear Madness and Monty Python's Spamalot have been added as season specials as well as Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, a co-production in partnership with Theater Latte Da. Aida, directed by the acclaimed Peter Rothstein, which runs January 3-27, 2013 at the Pantages Theatre. Shear Madness will be at the Pantages, February 27-March 17, 2013 and Spamalot at the Orpheum Theatre, March 15-16, 2013.

Center Theatre Group, Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh present the award-winning musical "Mary Poppins" at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. "Mary Poppins" opened on Friday, August 10. Check out photos from the opening night arrivals, curtain call and after-party below!

The Marriott Theatre, Chicago's longest running musical theatre announced today that subscriptions will soon go on sale for its 2013 season.

This evening's performance of MARY POPPINS, Broadway's pefrectly magical musical, will move it past the 1977 original Broadway production of Annie and the 1998 Broadway revival of Cabaret to become the 24th longest-running show in Broadway history when it plays performance #2379 at 8pm at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Broadway Across Canada and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh present MARY POPPINS, Calgary's most eagerly awaited stage production, beginning performances at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoriumon tonight, July 31 at 8 p.m. for a limited engagement of one week through Sunday, August 5.

According to Variety, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman have joined the cast of Disney's SAVING MR. BANKS film, about Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers.

Center Theatre Group and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh are pleased to announce full casting for the award-winning musical "Mary Poppins" at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. "Mary Poppins" begins performances August 9 and continues through September 2, 2012, as a bonus option to the 2011-2012 Ahmanson season. Press Opening Night is set for Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Broadway In Detroit and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the Detroit return engagement of MARY POPPINS, at the Fisher Theatre October 23-28, will go on sale to the public on Sunday, July 29 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com. On Monday, July 30, tickets will also be available starting at 10 a.m. at the Fisher Theatre box office.

Variety reports that Bradley Whitford is in early talks to join the cast of Disney's SAVING MR. BANKS. The actor would join previously announced cast members Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson on the film. John Lee Hancock will direct with a script by Kelly Marcel.

The world's most magical musical arrives at The Civic, Auckland this October. Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film, the multi-award winning musical MARY POPPINS will play The Civic, Auckland for a strictly limited season.

Broadway Across Canada and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS go on sale to the public today, June 4 at 10 a.m. Calgary's most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoriumon Tuesday, July 31 for a limited engagement of one week through Sunday, August 5. The opening night is Tuesday, July 31 at 8pm.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - coo, what a sight! 'Mary Poppins' flew into San Jose bringing magic and mayhem in the most delightful way. Hodges and Hodges were there for the magical high jinx and fun as well as the somewhat darker elements of 'Mary Poppins,' playing now through June 10th at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

Broadway Across Canada 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 Monday, June 4 at 10 a.m. Calgary's most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoriumon Tuesday, July 31 for a limited engagement of one week through Sunday, August 5. The opening night is Tuesday, July 31 at 8pm.