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

[Rob]

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

[Jordan Catalano]

Well, I'm sorry for two of my friends who are in the show but other than that...

[TheGingerBreadMan]

HOLY SHIZ WHAT THE CRAP

[beautywickedlover]

'Mary Poppins' had a very long and respectable run but I will be sad to see it go. I am looking forward to 'Aladdin' and I think this is why Disney might have delayed the Diamond Edition Blu-Ray from this year to next year.

[Overkill]

It had a really great run. SO excited that Aladdin may be coming!!! It's about time, really. I hope they're still working on it, though. I liked a lot of the changes they made to the story/score, but there were some things that just didn't seem right to me.... Iago being a human, for one.

ANYWAY - I really hope that Jonathan Freeman reprises Jafar, as well as John Tartaglia as the Genie! So ready to see him back on Broadway.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

^^
I second Tartaglia.

[beautywickedlover]

I second Freeman. He's so talented. I'll never forget his, "I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye to Prince Abubu."

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Is this ALADDIN gonna have that 3-D shIt in it? Ugh.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Mary Poppins was a great show and had a very solid run. Hopefully, this opens up the show to regional productions.

I am grateful that we're not getting Dumbo, but I hope they get someone to tweak Aladdin in order to make it a more tight show with an elaborate Disney flair. Especially considering the other regional productions have been produced by other companies. Of course with Disney producing, I have the feeling that this could be visually stunning! Will Disney do an out-of-town tryout?

And considering they've done in-house flying for Poppins, what is there to renovate?

EDIT: I know this will never happen, but maybe they ship the sets to California, cut the show to 45-minutes, and re-open Mary Poppins in Disney California Adventure?

[Wildcard]

James Monroe Iglehart was very good as the Genie. Would love to see Adam Jacobs as Aladdin as well.

I wonder if anyone here managed to catch either of the initial US productions and the Manila production which I believe was the most recent staging of the musical. Per my understanding, the Manila staging included elements workshopped after the US debut. I'm just curious how it managed to hold up.

[ucjrdude902]

Am I the only one shocked by this? They need to seriously rework the script for Aladdin if they're using that regional one.

[Wildcard]

Well, if Aladdin really does take over the New Amsterdam, I hope they actually make the magic carpet fly. Putting it on a cherry picker is not really flying (sorry Elphaba). Mary Poppins flying into the auditorium was always fun to see.

I'd love to see the show use some puppetry as well. Jafar turning into a genie should be magical. In Seattle, nothing really happened. At least in Manila, they used some wirework to make him fly. It would be cool to see him at least become intimidating as the evil Genie.

[ucjrdude902]

Also, renovations? Didn't Disney drastically renovate the place before they moved in the first place?

[AnythingGoes23]

It's true. It was on the cards from last year they decided it.

[JohnyBroadway]

We'll never forget you Mary Poppins! Is there a chance Aladdin will be doing a pre- broadway tour? Our local presenters here in Portland, OR did a survey last year about future offerings and Aladdin was listed.

[Mr Roxy]

They may wind up with a Tarzan or Little Mermaid.

[fashionguru_23]

I'm just going to put it out there, that Mary Poppins/Disney hasn't announced officially that its closing yet. It probably well be, and it was a great show for Disney. However, this is just in the current "rumours" and "reliable sources" stages. Tickets are currently on sale until August 18th, 2013.

[theaterfan862]

I know it is a long shot but would like to see Mary Poppins transfer to either the Marquis or the Neil Simon. I picked those two theaters because they are or will be empty by the time Mary Poppins closes and they are both Nederlander theaters(past Disney shows have been in Nederlander theaters).

[winston89]

I will not take this as fact until Disney releases a statement. As of right now, it's just a rumor stated by Ridel in the Post. Now, I know that many of you here think that if he says something it's true. But, I can think of several situations in recent years where he said something was going to happen and yet it didn't.

Even if it's true, I can't think Disney would want to keep their only Broadway venue closed for long. So, if they do close they would most likely have something in the cards to replace it.

[Hank]

I think renovations will be for the most part technical, making things and people fly. That seems to be the ticket these days. And maybe a fresh coat of paint here and there.
I'm not much into Disney shows, but with Robin de Jesus and John Tartaglia, I'll be there, and can't wait!

[little_sally]

This just feels like it's going to be another Beauty and the Beast situation.

[Mr Roxy]

Maybe it can go to New World Stages scaled down of course.

[fashionguru_23]

Little Sally, I totally agree with you.

[Visceral_Fella]

I agree Wildcard I know it's not easy, but I want them to try and do something with Jafar as Genie if Aladdin Transfers. I was so disappointed when I saw The Little Mermaid and there was no big scary Ursula at the end. The way that the giant was handled in The Public's Into the Woods, can make those moments cool and exciting.

[ucjrdude902]

I'd be shocked if de Jesus comes to Broadway as Aladdin. No where near the star potential for this show.

[Jonwo]

Mary Poppins closing doesn't surprise me as its numbers outside of holidays haven't been great, its had a fantastic run and a success for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.