BWW Interviews: Dominic Roberts on the 'MARY POPPINS' Tour

Last night, "Mary Poppins" played its first performance at Playhouse Square's State Theatre and seemed to magically transfer audiences into the New Amsterdam Theatre on New York City's 42^nd Street. It's not far-fetched to say that the touring production of "Poppins" is the closest thing Cleveland audiences will get to the real Great White Way for quite some time. The show's set has been newly redesigned by the legendary Bob Crowley and all of the major special effects of the Broadway version have been recreated for this production. In addition, several cast members who originated their roles on Broadway are on the tour as well, including Ashley Brown as Mary and Gavin Lee as Bert.

Another person from the original Broadway company is Cleveland native Dominic Roberts, who portrays Northbrook, several roles in the ensemble and is Lee's understudy. Roberts stopped by BroadwayWorld to discuss the very memorable way he was cast in the original Broadway production, working with theatrical legends and how it feels to be home.

Let's begin by talking about how you were originally cast in the Broadway production of "Mary Poppins."

I started auditioning for "Mary Poppins" at an open dance call in New York and was subsequently called back eight or nine times over seven months. My audition process was crazy. I went in for dance calls, singer calls and character calls. I kept getting called back and got all the way to the final casting day for the original Broadway company. I made it through all the cuts in front of the whole creative team and was not in the original Broadway cast when it was announced.

Then people dropped out or couldn't do it and I auditioned another four times and I did not get last until The Day Before rehearsals started in August. I had an audition on that Sunday afternoon and they were singing us and dancing twelve guys. They cut eight people and there were three of us left. They cut another guy and then there were two of us and we were around for another 45 minutes reading scenes, and at that time everyone was in the room. All the Disney Producers. Richard Sherman. Cameron Mackintosh. Julian Fellows. And I got cast in the room.

It was something I'll never ever forget and it's now a part of the story every time I tell it. Even Tom Schumacher loves telling the story. It's not often that they get to tell someone in the room that he got the job and starts tomorrow morning.

How was it meeting such theatrical legends?

I met most of them through the audition process. You see them around in auditions and they are always in and observing. But the creative process, for me, has more to do with the choreographer and director. They are legendary and just having Cameron Mackintosh in the room adds excitement to the whole process. On the tour Cameron was around and worked with the principles. They are very generous about that. He will take the time and work with us through the entire process.

Were you a big fan of the movie growing up?

I saw the movie when I was younger but I hadn't seen it in ten years when I started auditioning for the show.

I love Disney movies and went to Walt Disney World when I was a kid. I never thought I was going to be in this business, but now that I am when I look back, I can see how I lived for those movies and the animation and storytelling. I love the storytelling of it. Now with the Pixar movies, it's so incredible to see the subtlety the movies can get across and be for kids but still speak to adults.

I loved "Aladdin" growing up. We did it in show choir when I was in sixth grade. "The Lion King" was my time. I remember watching "Bambi" and "Snow White" when I was really young.

Have you seen any of the other Disney on Broadway shows?

I've seen "Lion King" and "Tarzan." It's amazing to see how the shows translate to stage. That's part of the magic of a Production Company like Disney. They have this iconic pieces of film that people love so much and they find artistic thinkers that can translate them to the stage while finding the essence of the story and discovering how it can best play eight times a week.

So who did you portray in "Poppins" on Broadway?

I played Valentine in New York when Tyler Maynard left the original company. I'm one of the chimney sweeps-the one doing anything unadvisable. I was a gymnist growing up so I do a few acrobatics in "Step in Time," which is my favorite number in the whole show.

How was it working in the New Amsterdam Theatre?

It's unbelievable. It has so much history and you won't see another theatre like it in New York. The whole experience has been unbelievable. I remember when I first walked into the New Amsterdam-we were across the street in rehearsals at the 42^nd Street Studios and walked across the street into the theatre. They were all business because the crew had been loading in the show for a month or two, but then I was there standing in history. It was comparable to the feeling when they cast me in the room.

And then we get cramped up backstage in all these tiny dressing rooms with nowhere to move! (laughs) The audience really gets the better deal with that.

How did you decide to move on to the tour?

It is a treat for the country to see Gavin Lee and Ashley [Brown] because they are tremendous. You won't be able to see it anywhere else. I would say this cast is just as strong as the Broadway company. There are six people from the Broadway company, and I love the energy of the cast.

I was ready for a break from New York. I had a blast doing "Mary Poppins" on Broadway and did over 700 performances. I'd been in New York for five years and was ready for a change of pace. I put my name in the hat and it worked out.

Were there any spectacular mishaps you'd like to talk about?

Nothing really crazy has happened on the tour yet. There are of course technical difficulties every once and awhile, but nothing really remarkable.

What changes have been made to the show for the tour?

They've pared down the set for the tour, but it's still the same concept. If you hadn't seen the Broadway show but saw pictures, and then came and saw our show, you wouldn't know that you weren't seeing the Broadway set. It's just more fleshed out on Broadway. You can walk on the second floor of the Broadway house but not in ours, for example. They've redesigned it to be more like a storybook, and it spins around to reveal new scenes, and it's a really great effect. Everybody that has seen it says they love it just as much and that it's very accessible. The set is exactly what it needs to be.

What makes "Mary Poppins" so special to you?

It is a spectacular show in many ways. Adults will know it from their childhood and everyone knows it. It's a piece of American film and theatre that won't be forgotten. Everyone knows it and loves it. For theatre-goers, they'll see fantastic performances, but people who don't go to the theatre will get a great night as well. It's not vanilla at all, but interesting and quirky and a lot of fun.

What are you looking forward to doing once you get to Cleveland?

All of my friends and family getting to see me.

I'm a big baseball fan and I haven't seen a game in a long time. We are definitely road-tripping it up to Cedar Point at some point. My family is throwing a barbecue for The company.

So what's next after "Mary Poppins" for you?

I want to get my foot in the door for that Green Day musical that is happening. I have a friend that is a guitar player/producer/engineer and I grew up on his music, so I'm a big rock and roll fan. So I'd like to get into something with a little more edge to it. (laughs) I've been with the show since I was only two years out of college and I've gotten to the point in my career where I've grown up a lot. I look young and play young, but I think I can get into more adult roles. I haven't been in the audition pool for awhile, so it'll be interesting to see where I am when I get back to New York.

My opportunity to cover Bert here is a real testament to my work. I'm going on in St. Louis when he is on vacation. I don't know if there is much chance he'll take a night off in Cleveland.

"Mary Poppins" is playing at the State Theatre in Playhouse Square until August 9th. Purchase tickets online at www.playhousesquare.com. Tomorrow look for an interview with Mary herself, Ashley Brown and then check back Monday for BroadwayWorld's review of the production.

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