Christian Borle Joins Laura Michelle Kelly in Mary Poppins on Broadway

As we recently reported, Laura Michelle Kelly, who won an Olivier Award for originating the role of Mary Poppins in the West End, will be moving into Broadway’s Cherry Tree Lane. Now a production spokesperson has confirmed that she will be joined by Christian Borle in the part of Bert. Both performers will join the cast of Mary Poppins on October 12 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

In addition to Mary Poppins, Kelly has an eclectic resume of stage credits, including her Broadway debut as Hodel in the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Her West End roles include taking over the role of Swallow in the original production of Whistle Down the Wind, Eponine in Les Miserables, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings and Karen in Speed-the-Plow. The actress released her debut solo album, The Storm Inside, in 2005. Kelly is also attached to the upcoming musical adaptation of the hit movie Ghost, directed by Tony winner Matthew Warchus (who directed the actress in LOTR). She made her feature film debut in 2007 opposite Johnny Depp in the musical Sweeney Todd, directed by Tim Burton.

Borle garnered Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League nominations for his performance as Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include Spamalot, Footloose and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Kelly and Borle will be joined by new cast members Jeff Binder as Mr. Banks, Jenny Galloway (reprising her role from the West End production) as Mrs. Brill and Michael McCarty as Admiral Boom, returning to the role he created on Broadway. Rebecca Luker continues to star as Mrs. Banks alongside Ann Arvia as Bird Woman, Mark Price as Robertson Ay and Ruth Gottschall as Miss Andrew.Juliette Allen Angelo, Alexandra Berro and Cassady Leonard alternate as Jane Banks; Jeremiah Kissane, Matthew Schechter and Andrew Shipman alternate as Michael Banks.

Current stars Mary Poppins stars Scarlett Strallen and Adam Fiorentino will leave the production on October 11.