Breaking News: MARY POPPINS to Close on Broadway March 3, 2013; ALADDIN Next at the New Amsterdam Theater?

[bdn223]

My heart goes out to the cast!! Honestly when Disney did the switcharoo with Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid the entire cast knew well in advance of the closing annoucement except for Annneleise Vanderpool who found out tight right before her first performance, according to Ms. Vanderpool. Beast. Also annouced a July closing in January, 6-7 months vs. less than 2 months for Mary Poppins. I understand Mary Poppins has run half as long as Beauty, but still a long running show deserves a proper send off, and not to be the butt of Reidel's column.

[Tag]

Yes the cast didn't know, but why should they have? It was a leaked story and not initiated by Disney. The cast would have been told if yesterday's announcement was official.

[finebydesign]

Also Disney isn't the only producer here.

[bdn223]

True but i can't see Mr. Makintosh leaking this either especially when he understands the mechanics and personal emotions when it comes to the closing of a long running show. I can only see him accidently leaking this in a Les Miserable movie interview, where he is focused on Les Miserables, that when ge was possibly asked about Broadway and Poppins, the fact that the cast hasn't been informed yet, slipped his mind. The leak was probably an intern, but still.

[ucjrdude902]

A friend of a friend in the ensemble said that apparently the cast was informed to be there an hour before curtain. I'm thinking its either to inform the cast or clear up rumors.

[Kad]

Either way, it's going to be awkward!

[Jonwo]

I agree, it would be unlike Cameron Mackintosh to leak about the closure of a show he's involved in but I'm sure he would be consulted by Disney/Tom Schumacher first about closing the show on Broadway.

It's weird it's not been given a long closing notice, the original London production of Poppins had a six months notice.

[JohnyBroadway]

I do feel bad for all involved, considering the fact it would leak out from Disney. I do hope Schumacher gives the press the big finger.

[TheatreKid3]

IT'S OFFICIAL:

Just announced on MARY POPPINS' Facebook:

"Thank you for giving us six sensational years on Broadway, but the time has come to bid farewell to New York City. We hope to see you one last time before our final performance on March 3rd."

I must say I'm a little surprised.

[blaxx]

I don't know why people feel bad for Gavin Lee. He was involved with this show for over a decade.

I feel worse for Bianca Marroquin. First she gets cast to replace Roger in Evita and the production closed. Then she took Mary Poppins in hopes to be the next Broadway replacement, now she's SOL. She just can't catch a break.

[TheatreKid3]

POPPINS' final performance has no tickets available in the Orchestra or Mezz. They must be making a big event out of it.

I hope they get a special Playbill made for it as well.

[JohnyBroadway]

On the bright side, Disney will have over a year of Aladdin campaigning for Aladdin.

[ucjrdude902]

Cast is hurt and pissed for obvious reasons if you ask me.

[ClumsyDude15]

I'm betting you there'll be a "by popular demand" extension - with either Laura Michelle Kelly or Ashley Brown returning along with Gavin Lee.

[ACL2006]

I just don't see the need to close it March 3 and leave the theater empty for about a year. Hoping ticket demand increases and we see a nice extension.

[ClumsyDude15]

ACL - I totally agree. Why would Disney miss the chance for one more big boost before going out with a bang? Why would Disney let it's own theater sit dark for a YEAR when it could have Mary Poppins run through another summer, get a final hurrah, and then close it later on down the line to make room for Aladdin.

It just baffles me that a company like Disney wouldn't think of such a concept when closing one of it's pretty big hits.

[frogs_fan85]

Perhaps they've planned out a timeline for the renovations and that much lead time is required?

Having worked on long term capital renovations in a theater, I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility that a year is needed (depending on the type of work that is going to be undertaken).

[ClumsyDude15]

That's entirely possible, it just seems really weird.

[Jonwo]

The Prince of Wales Theatre in London closed to be renovated, that took under a year so it's possible but wasn't The New Amsterdam refurbished between The Lion King closing and Mary Poppins opening back in 2006. I do think it's possible it'll extend due to increase in ticket sales, it happened before when Les Mis announced its closure on Broadway only to extend another two months when ticket sales jumped.

[Jonwo]

The Prince of Wales Theatre in London closed to be renovated, that took under a year so it's possible but wasn't The New Amsterdam refurbished between The Lion King closing and Mary Poppins opening back in 2006. I do think it's possible it'll extend due to increase in ticket sales, it happened before when Les Mis announced its closure on Broadway only to extend another two months when ticket sales jumped.

[zamedy]

'It's run will put it right between HAIRSPRAY and AVENUE Q on the list of Broadway's longest running shows.'

Interesting. Who'dda thought.

[beautywickedlover]

I will miss 'Mary Poppins'. I do have high hopes for 'Aladdin' since it is a great film. But I really do hope that it does not turn out to be like 'The Little Mermaid'. It was a mistake to close a timeless musical like 'Beauty and the Beast' for a mess of show, which its only redeemable things were the women originating the roles of Ariel and Ursula.

[JohnyBroadway]

I hope they include " To Be Free"

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Add me to those who think this will be a repeat of the Beauty and The Beast fiasco...

[PlayItAgain]

Aladdin will be open before Xmas... just fyi....

[Tag]

^But not in New York