Full Casting Announced for Omaha's MARY POPPINS

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions have announced full casting for the Omaha engagement of MARY POPPINS. One of the most eagerly anticipated stage productions will be presented by Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America with performances at the Orpheum Theater Thursday, January 27, 2011 through Sunday, February 13, 2011.

Original UK Tour star Caroline Sheen will reprise her role as "Mary Poppins" while original Broadway company member Nicolas Dromard will assume the role of "Bert." Caroline Sheen made her U.S. stage debut in the North American Tour after earning rave reviews from the UK press including The Herald (Plymouth, UK) who called her "the perfect embodiment of the outwardly prim nanny with the free-thinking mind." Sheen, who was born in Wales, has appeared on stage in a wide variety of other leading roles in the West End and UK including The Light in the Piazza, Once in a Lifetime, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease, Les Misérables, The Witches of Eastwick and Mamma Mia! Sheen is appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association.

Nicolas Dromard was a member of the original Broadway company of MARY POPPINS and recently played the role of "Fiyero" in the San Francisco production of Wicked. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dromard has also appeared in the Broadway productions of The Boy From Oz and Oklahoma! and originated roles in the Canadian productions of Mamma Mia! and Hairspray. Dromard also appeared in stage productions at the Stratford Festival of Canada and the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Joining Sheen and Dromard will be Michael Dean Morgan as "George Banks." Mr. Morgan has performed a variety of roles in the touring production of MARY POPPINS. In addition he has appeared in Disney's The Lion King and Finding Nemo - The Musical where he originated the role of "Marlin" and has had roles in many other productions.

"Winifred Banks" will be played by Blythe Wilson who joins the production after appearing on stage in The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma and Three Penny Opera.

Rachel Izen will portray "Mrs. Brill." Ms. Izen is making her North American Tour debut having appeared in numerous London West End productions including A Chorus Line, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Singin' in the Rain, Beauty and the Beast, Annie and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Dennis Moench, who will play "Robertson Ay," was recently seen in the Broadway production of MARY POPPINS and has also appeared in the All Shook Up National Tour and Off-Broadway in Altar Boyz and Fame.

Native Omahan Q. Smith will play "Miss Andrew." Ms. Smith has previously appeared as "Mrs. Corey" in the touring production of MARY POPPINS. She appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables and in Off-Broadway, tours and regional performances of Fame on 42nd St., Smokey Joe's Café, Aida and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ms. Smith attended Brownell Talbot and graduated from North High School in Omaha before getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ithaca College in New York.

"The Bird Woman" will be played by Mary VanArsdel, who has appeared in productions of Cole Porter's Paris, Mass, Camelot (with Jeremy Irons), 110 In the Shade and Gypsy.

"Admiral Boom" will be portrayed by Michael McCarty, a stage veteran whose Broadway credits include Mary Poppins, To Be Or Not To Be, Oklahoma!, 42nd Street, Sweeney Todd, Big River, Teddy & Alice, Oliver!, Amadeus, King Of Hearts and Dirty Linen. 

Performances in the role of "Jane Banks" will be alternated between Camille Mancuso and Paige Simunovich. Ms. Mancuso's previous theatre credits include the national tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, White Christmas and Little House on the Prairie. Ms. Simunovich was last seen on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow and in the national tours of 101 Dalmatians, Wizard of Oz and Annie.

Performances in the role of "Michael Banks" will be alternated between Talon Ackerman and Cade Canon Ball. Mr. Ackerman has previously appeared in the stage productions of Disney's Tarzan, Cats, The Secret Garden, Sleepy Hollow and Our Town. Mr. Ball has recently appeared on stage in productions of Seussical, A Christmas Carol and Sound of Music. 

Rounding out the cast are Jacob ben Widmar, Kiara Bennett, Troy Edward Bowles, Elizabeth Broadhurst, Debra Cardona, Eric Coles, Carol Angeli Dillard, Case Dillard, Elizabeth Earley, Geoffrey Goldberg, Mark Harapiak, Eric Hatch, Garett Hawe, Tiffany Howard, Kelly Jacobs, Sam Kiernan, Stephanie Martignetti, Vanessa McMahan, Koh Mochizuki, Shua Potter, Chuck Rea, Nick Sanchez, Jesse Swimm, Jen Taylor, Rachel Wallace and Michelle E. White.

With four productions currently running 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 $457 million and welcomed 6.4 million guests. The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world's most famous nanny to audiences around North America. The MARY POPPINS North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and achieved the milestone of being the most successful touring theatrical event of the year. 

Tickets for MARY POPPINS, starting at $23, are now on sale. They can be purchased at the Ticket Omaha Box Office in the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13 th and Douglas streets, Omaha, Neb.; online at TicketOmaha.com; or by calling 402-345-0606. For group sales call 402-661-8516 or toll-free at 866-434-8587.

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