GAVIN LEE CONFIRMED TO STAR IN BROADWAY POPPINS

Gavin Lee to make his Broadway debut as Bert in the original New York company of Mary Poppins

Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are delighted to announce that Gavin Lee will make his Broadway debut playing the leading role of 'Bert' when Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's production of "MARY POPPINS" opens on Broadway this November (previewing from October) at the New Amsterdam Theatre. British-born Gavin created the role of 'Bert' to critical acclaim when the show opened in 2004 at the Prince Edward Theatre and has continued to play the part ever since, receiving a 2005 Olivier Award nomination for his performance. Gavin will leave the West End production in mid-July. Casting for his replacement will be announced shortly.

He will be joined on Broadway by American Ashley Brown who will play 'Mary Poppins'.

In a joint statement Mackintosh and Schumacher said, "After the phenomenal success of "MARY POPPINS" in London, we were excited to cast the roles of 'Mary' and 'Bert' for Broadway. Gavin Lee, who continues to amaze audiences at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, has embodied 'Bert' with such irrepressible charm and warmth that we knew he must perform the role on Broadway. We are delighted that Gavin will bring this legendary character to life at the New Amsterdam Theatre."

Gavin Lee's London theatre credits include "Peggy Sue Got Married", "Contact", "Oklahoma!", Sondheim's "Saturday Night", "Crazy For You" and "Me and My Girl". In addition, he has appeared in the recent films of "Beyond The Sea" and "The Phantom of the Opera".

Gavin Lee said, "I am thrilled to be making my Broadway debut in a role that has given me such pleasure every night in London. Playing 'Bert' has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I know that American audiences will embrace this magical show just as British audiences have."

Now in its second year at the Prince Edward Theatre, "MARY POPPINS" stars Scarlett Strallen as 'Mary Poppins' and Gavin Lee as 'Bert'.

The internationally renowned and multi award-winning creative team assembled for "MARY POPPINS" is led by stage and film director Richard Eyre. Co-direction & choreography is by Matthew Bourne and Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. Set and costume design is by Bob Crowley. Lighting design is by Howard Harrison, sound by Andrew Bruce, and orchestrations by William David Brohn.

"MARY POPPINS" includes many of the original songs from the film with music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman. The new stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes who has written the book, and the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have written the new songs and additional music and lyrics.