Broadway Archives

Ashley Brown originated the Broadway role of Mary Poppins and now stars in the North American tour of the show. Now she’s making her solo record debut with her jazz alum, Speak Low, on sale now!

Here’s what the 27-year-old singer and actress exclusively shared with JustJared.com:

JJ: What is your favorite prop on the set of Mary Poppins?

AB: I would have to say my parrot head umbrella. It is with me at all times and a massive one opens up at the end of act 2. It’s Mary’s most iconic prop along with her carpet bag. I’m going to find it hard to ever walk on stage without it!

JJ: You have famous people (and their kids) watching you all of the
time. Which celebrity encounter has been the most memorable to date
and why?

AB: When Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes came with Suri. They were so generous with their time and so complimentary. They stayed and took pictures and answered questions and just couldn’t quit gushing about our show.

Also, when we walked in the theater the next day, they had sent us 5 dozen of Crumbs cupcakes and a beautiful arrangement of red roses with a very nice note. They went over the top and I don’t think anyone in our cast will forget that moment.

(Click inside to continue reading JustJared.com’s interview with Ashley Brown…)

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Ashlee Simpson made her Broadway stage debut last month and currently plays the role of Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical Chicago.

JustJared.com is giving away a pair of tickets to see Ashlee in the show before her run ends on Sunday (February 7) at NYC’s Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). In addition to the tickets, you’ll win an autographed Playbill, a Chicago CD all within an exclusive Chicago tote bag.

You can also purchase your own tickets at ChicagoTheMusical.com!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here with a valid email address (will not be published) and one winner will be chosen at random at the end of the contest. Enter as many times as you want! This contest ends next Friday, January 15 @ 5PM EST. US only. Good luck! The winner has been notified. Thanks for entering!

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes treat their adorable daughter Suri to evening out at the Ahmanson Theatre to see the LA engagement of hot musical, Mary Poppins, on Wednesday (January 6).

This is the second time Suri has seen the world’s most famous nanny on stage. Katie brought her to see the Broadway production in August 2008 during NY rehearsals for her own Broadway debut in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.

Famous friend David Beckham took his three sons (pictured below) recently to see the show in LA, while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie saw the Jan. 3 Broadway matinee with their four oldest children. Stars Amy Adams, The Jonas Brothers, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett also brought family and friends to the Broadway production over the holidays.

Also pictured here: Ashley Brown (stars as Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (stars as Bert).

High School Musical star Corbin Bleu gets down as bodega owner Usnavi in this new preview video for the Broadway musical In The Heights (the role was originally played by Lin-Manuel Miranda).

The 20-year-old actor will fulfill a 13-week engagement in the hit show at the NYC Richard Rodgers Theater from Monday, January 25 through Sunday, April 25.

In The Heights picked up Best Musical and Best Original Score at the 2008 Tony Awards. You can pick up tickets at InTheHeightsTheMusical.com!

High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu will make his Broadway debut in the musical In The Heights on Monday, January 25, 2010.

The 20-year-old actor will play the lead Usnavi (originally played by Lin-Manuel Miranda) in a limited 13-week engagement at the NYC Richard Rodgers Theater through Sunday, April 25, 2010.

In The Heights picked up Best Musical and Best Original Score at the 2008 Tony Awards.

Youu can pick up tickets at InTheHeightsTheMusical.com!

It was announced yesterday that rocker Reeve Carney will be starring as Peter Parker/Spider-man in Julie Taymor’s Broadway production of Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark. Watch him talk about it below!

The music was written by U2’s Bono and The Edge and the rest of the Carney band (Aiden, Jon and Zane) will even be playing in the orchestra pit!

Carney’s last show in L.A. will be at The El Rey Theatre @ 8PM on November 28 (Thanksgiving Weekend). Get your $15 tickets at Ticketmaster.com!

Reeve Carney has been selected to play the superhero Spider-Man in the the new Broadway musical, Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark.

U2’s Bono and The Edge will be bringing the music and lyric to the mega-production, which will be directed by Julie Taymor.

A press release sent out on Friday reads, “After an exhaustive search that included a casting call tour spanning six cities and thousands of candidates, the producers and creative team have selected Reeve Carney to play the role of Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man. Carney joins previously announced cast members Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane Watson, Peter Parker’s girlfriend and Alan Cumming as Norman Osborn (aka Green Goblin).”

Mr. Carney is the lead singer of the rock band Carney. He also starred in 1999’s Snow Falling on Cedars portraying a young Ethan Hawke and plays Ferdinand in the upcoming Julie Taymor movie The Tempest.

Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark will open at the Hilton Theater next year.

Ashlee Simpson is in talks to return to the musical Chicago on Broadway, sources tell JustJared.com.

The 25-year-old actress moved back to New York City earlier this week. “She plans on being here for three months,” a source reveals. “She’s hoping to return to the stage.” (Ashlee played the femme fatale Roxie Hart in Chicago at London’s West End in 2006.)

Ashlee recently moved out of Melrose Place after producers wrapped up her storyline.

ARE YOU EXCITED to see Ashlee hit the Broadway stage — YAY or NAY?