BWW Exclusive: MARY POPPINS Cast Memories- Steffanie Leigh

As the Broadway production of Mary Poppins comes to a close, we asked current and original principle cast members, as well as current cast members who have been with the show since day one, to share with us some memories and tell us what being a part of the magic has meant to them. Steffanie Leigh, who is the current 'Mary Poppins,' shared:

I will never forget my first performance playing "Mary." At that point I was an understudy and had rehearsed and rehearsed, but still had the question "can I actually play this massive, iconic role? " in the back of my head. I remember getting to the curtain call and bursting into tears of relief and pride of the accomplishment!

A single paragraph can't give justice to what Mary Poppins has meant to me. It really is a dream come true. To be able to participate in telling the story of this iconic character is the most joyous and humbling experience of my life.

Mary Poppins will conclude Broadway run at The New Amsterdam Theatre Sunday, March 3, 2013 after 2619 performances and more than six years. With attendance totaling nearly four million guests, the show has been seen by more people in the last six years than any Broadway show except Wicked and The Lion King. Mary Poppins opened on Broadway in 2006, just two years after debuting in London's West End, where it had received nine Olivier Award nominations and won Olivier, Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage Awards. The Broadway production received 25 major theatrical award nominations, winning Tony and Drama Desk Awards.

Mary Poppins will rank as the 22nd longest-running show in Broadway history by the time its run is complete, ranking between Best Musical winners Hairspray and Avenue Q on the list of long runs. For tickets, visit: http://www.marypoppins.com/tickets

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