Photo Flash: MARY POPPINS Ends Chicago Run After Hosting 300,000 Audience Members & An 18 Week Run

"We are thrilled to have had MARY POPPINS choose to launch their national tour in Chicago with nothing less than an extraordinary production. The popularity of this show further established Chicago's reputation as a national tourist destination for theatre this summer," said Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago. "Clearly theater continues to be a welcome stimulus in these economic times as evidenced by this successful 18 week run and the consistent activity in the Theatre District that it created."

The magical musical launched its National Tour in Chicago on March 11, 2009 and opened to rave reviews from both fans and critics. Called "savvy, entertaining and emotionally engaging" by the Chicago Tribune and an "unwavering treat" by Variety, the two original Broadway stars, Ashley Brown as "Mary Poppins" and Gavin Lee as "Bert," will continue on with the National Tour. Also staying with the tour are Chicagoans Abigail Droeger as "Jane Banks" and Michael Gerhart as "Von Hussler.

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. The show includes the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

For more information, please visit www.MaryPoppinsTour.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus