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. Valerie Boyle, who is the current 'Mrs. Brill,' shared:
I have lots of favorite memories - these past 4 + years have been a dream come true. I guess my foremost favorites would be actually getting hired for the MP tour, and then later, my boss, Anthony Lyn, ushering me under the stairs at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (in Chicago) to give me the news I was going to Broadway. However, I also have a prominent (embarrassing) memory of when the elastic in my bloomers broke, and my undergarment literally slid down my legs under my skirt during the first house scene. I thought I'd been discrete by, nonchalantly, stepping out of my underwear as the lights changed and secretly passing them to my scene partner, Andrew Keenan-Bolger. This performance, however, happened to be a "special event for the hearing impaired". I turned to see the signer signing to the whole right side of the audience that my underwear had fallen off. It was something to see 1/4 of the audience laugh and wave their hands in the air in a shaking motion, while the rest of the audience were wondering what they'd missed.
Mary Poppins means more to me than I can truly put into words. I am an older actress with far more years behind me than ahead. I had thought my dream of ever being on Broadway was gone - and yet... here I am. Not only did Disney's and Cameron Mackintosh's MP give me the opportunity to open and perform on Broadway for my 60th Birthday, it's allowed me to enjoy the Broadway experience for 4 years now, as well as fulfill my dream of getting my Green Card. Mary Poppins truly has been a magical force in the golden years of my life - one that I shall always be grateful for and never forget.When Mary Poppins says, "Anything Can Happen," she means it - I know... it happened to me..
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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