Kennedy Center Presents MARY POPPINS, Previews 7/1

Producers CameRon Mackintosh, Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and the Kennedy Center are pleased to announce full casting for the Washington, DC engagement of Mary Poppins. The musical will begin performances in the Kennedy Center Opera House on July 1, 2010 for a limited engagement of eight weeks through August 22, 2010. The press opening night is Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world's most famous nanny to audiences around North America. Since the tour's launch in Chicago in March 2009, Mary Poppins has earned continuous critical praise and box-office success.

Original UK tour star Caroline Sheen will reprise her role as Mary Poppins while original London and Broadway star Gavin Lee will assume the role of Bert.

Caroline Sheen makes her U.S. stage debut in the North American tour after earning rave reviews from the UK press. Sheen, who was born in Wales, has appeared on stage in a wide variety of other leading roles in the West End and UK including The Light in the Piazza, Once in a Lifetime, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease, Les Miserables, The Witches of Eastwick and Mamma Mia! Sheen is appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

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 NY and London, and was the recipient of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor. Lee also received Tonyâ, Outer Critics Circle, and Olivier Award nominations for Best Actor. His London theater 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.

Joining Sheen and Lee will be Laird Mackintosh as George Banks. Mr. Mackintosh has performed several leading roles in Canada including The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas, Arcadia, and Phantom of the Opera. Winifred Banks will be played by Blythe Wilson who joins the production after appearing on stage in The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma, and Three Penny Opera.

Rachel Izen will portray Mrs. Brill. Ms. Izen is making her North American tour debut having appeared in numerous London West End productions including A Chorus Line, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Singin' in the Rain, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, and Thoroughly Modern Mille. Dennis Moench, who will play Robertson Ay, was recently seen in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins and has also appeared in the All Shook Up national tour and Off-Broadway in Altar Boyz and Fame.

Ellen Harvey will play Miss Andrew. MS. Harvey's Broadway credits include The Music Man and Thou Shalt Not and she has appeared in the national tours of Disney's High School Musical, Mamma Mia, Doctor Dolittle, and Sunset Boulevard. The Bird Woman will be played by Mary VanArsdel, who has appeared in productions of Cole Porter's Paris, Mass, Camelot (with Jeremy Irons), 110 In the Shade, and Gypsy. Admiral Boom will be portrayed by Mike O'Carroll, a stage veteran whose past credits include White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Showboat, Will Rogers Follies, Henry IV, Inherit the Wind, and Ragtime.

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