Original Star Ashley Brown to Fly Back to Broadway's Mary Poppins

Ashley Brown will return to the Broadway production of Mary Poppins as the magical nanny, beginning March 8. Brown, who originated the role at the New Amsterdam Theatre, will take over for current star Laura Michelle Kelly through July 17 while Kelly is on hiatus for a film project. Kelly will return to the production on July 19.

Brown made her Broadway debut in Beauty and the Beast and has toured nationally with Mary Poppins and Disney's On the Record. She recently starred in the musical Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhous and released her debut solo album, Speak Low.

Mary Poppins currently stars Gavin Lee as Bert, Laird Mackintosh as George Banks, Megan Osterhaus as Winifred Banks, Valerie Boyle as Mrs. Brill, Ann Arvia as Bird Woman and Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Robertson Ay. The show opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006, and received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.