Breaking News: MARY POPPINS to Close on Broadway Spring 2013; ALADDIN Next at the New Amsterdam Theater?

The New York Times is reporting that MARY POPPINS will close on Broadway on March 3, 2013 to make way for renovations at the New Amsterdam Theater, followed by its next tenant "A musical adaptation of the company's 1992 animated film "Aladdin," according to two Broadway theater executives. The two executives spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss production plans that remain confidential. A Disney spokesman did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment on Monday."

The NY Post previously reported earlier that MARY POPPINS would close on April 3, 2013, so for now, we're officially saying 'Spring of 2013' until an official announcement is made.

Alan Menken revealed back in August 2012 that ALADDIN was being prepped for a Broadway run. Based on the Disney film by the same name, Aladdin features a book by Chad Beguelin, music by Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, with additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

ALADDIN enjoyed productions at both 5th Avenue in Seattle and was the best-attended production at The Muny in St. Louis this summer, featuring Tony nominees Robin De Jesus and John Tartaglia as Aladdin and the Genie, respectively. The show sold 74,857 tickets across its nine performances and boasted an average of 8,317 per performance. There's no word on whether the upcoming Broadway production will follow one of those two productions in form.

The Disney film was written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and directed and produced by Ron Clements and Jon Musker.

A co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, this stage production is based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film and includes the film's Academy Award-winning music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production was created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who wrote the book; Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre; and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

With seven productions produced on three continents, Mary Poppins is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $812 million and welcomed more than 11 million guests.

The Broadway production of Mary Poppins officially opened on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere. Mary Poppins is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still running.

The Mary Poppins North American tour has also garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009.

The Australian production of Mary Poppins opened to critical acclaim in Melbourne in July 2010 where it achieved an unprecedented 100% of Gross Box Office. For its seasons in Perth and Brisbane the advance sales smashed all previous theatrical records.

The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening Standard awards.

MARY POPPINS can also be seen Mexico City, Mexico. Previously, productions have been mounted in Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, The Czech Republic and Estonia.