Ann Michels will be dropping down onto the Chanhassen stage when "Mary Poppins" opens next February. The dinner theater plucked Michels to play the title character in its production, along with Mark King as Bert, the chimney sweep. Veterans Keith Rice and Janet Hayes Trow will play Mr. and Mrs. Banks. The show is scheduled to run through August.
Michels has teed up several key roles at Chanhassen, beginning with Hope Harcourt in 2004's "Anything Goes" (Really, that was ten years ago?). She was Rosie Alvarez in "Bye Bye Birdie" also. Last summer, Michels was in "My Fair Lady" at the Guthrie.
King is also a Chanhassen regular who had a lead role in "Singin' in the Rain" a few years back. He's best recognized for his work as Chan's dance captain.
Other cast notes: David Anthony Brinkley is back as Admiral Boom and Michelle Barber (currently playing "Hello Dolly") is the Bird Woman. Michael Brindisi will direct.
This is the first time "Mary Poppins" has been produced in this region, following national tours that have stopped in the Twin Cities. The stage musical is based on the 1964 film and the books by P.L. Travers. Cameron Mackintosh got the show onto the West End in 2003 and then Broadway in 2006. It ran until 2013.
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