Mary Poppins: original stage Mary Poppins, Laura Michelle Kelly, to reprise role on Broadway

Baz Bamigboye, of London's Daily Mail, reports that Laura Michelle Kelly, who originated the role of Mary Poppins in London, is to reprise her performance for the Great White Way when she joins the cast of the Broadway production on 12 Oct 2009. She will assume the role from Scarlett Strallen

Laura Michelle Kelly created the role when the musical opened in London's West End at the Prince Edward Theatre in Dec 2004, for which she won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Kelly's West End credits include 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Whistle Down The Wind' as 'Swallow' (2000), 'Les Miserables' as 'Eponine' at The Palace Theatre (2001), 'Mamma Mia!' as 'Sophie' at Prince Edward Theatre (2002), 'My Fair Lady' as 'Eliza' at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (2003). Kelly made her Broadway debut in the 2004 revival of 'Fiddler on the Roof' as 'Hodel.'

The Broadway production of Mary Poppins opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on the 16 Nov 2005, following previews from the 14 Oct, where it is currently selling tickets through to 21 Feb 2010.

Mary Poppins is based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film.

The musical features many of the original songs from the film, with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who won two Oscar's for the film Mary Poppins. The new stage production features new songs and additional music and lyrics by Olivier Award-winners George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The production has been created in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh.

The cast currently features Scarlett Strallen (Mary Poppins), Adam Fiorentino (Bert), Daniel Jenkins (Mr. Banks), Rebecca Luker (Mrs. Banks), Ann Arvia (Bird Woman), Mark Price (Robertson Ay), Ruth Gottschall (Miss Andrew), Jeff Steitzer (Admiral Boom) and Jane Carr (Mrs. Brill).

Alexandra Berro, Kelsey Fowle and Cassady Leonard alternate in the role of 'Jane Banks.' Neil McCaffrey, Zach Rand and Matthew Gumley alternate in the role of 'Michael Banks.'

The musical opened to mostly good reviews: "A roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza" (New York Daily News); "Was fine as a Disney movie and is even better as this Broadway musical" (New York Post); "A real Broadway musical - the kind we haven't seen in a long time." (Journal News); "Most children, however, really don't know the difference between great and mediocre performances, and they will love the show." (newyorktheatreguide).

However, not all the reviews were so favourable: "Handsome, homily-packed and rather tedious show." (New York Times); "Resembles a vast, elaborate clockwork toy of yesteryear." (Star-Ledger); "A wee bit of a letdown." (Washington Post).

Director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team assembled for Mary Poppins with co-direction and choreography by Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne.

Mary Poppins features a book by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes, set and costume design is by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and musical supervision by David Caddick.

Mary Poppins creator Pamela Lyndon (P.L.) Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in Australia on August 9, 1899. While touring as a theatre actress, Pamela began publishing poems, articles, and stories; which led to a career in journalism. It was in 1934, while living in England, that she wrote the first of six books featuring Mary Poppins. Pamela Travers passed away on April 23, 1996.