<P> The show sparked mild controversy not long after its debut when producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher banned children below 3 years old from entering the theatre, deeming the show too scary for young children . The ban remained throughout the show's entire run, during which the theatre staff were to prevent patrons with children below 3 to enter . The show was officially tagged as being "for children seven years and up". </P> <P> On March 17, 2005, Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins in the film, visited the show as a guest . She appeared onstage during the curtain calls, where she gave a speech recalling her own memories from making the film and praising the cast for their new interpretation . The production closed on January 12, 2008, after a run of more than three years . </P> <P> Following the success of the West End production, a Broadway production debuted on November 16, 2006, at the New Amsterdam Theatre after previews from October 14 . Ashley Brown played the title role, and Gavin Lee, who had originated the role of Bert in the West End production, reprised his role on Broadway . Daniel H. Jenkins played George Banks, Rebecca Luker was Winifred, and Matthew Gumley and Henry Hodges played Michael . Starting on 9 October 2008, the role of Mary was played by Scarlett Strallen (reprising her role from the West End production) and Bert was played by Adam Fiorentino . Laura Michelle Kelly, who originated the role of Mary in London, took over the role on Broadway on October 12, 2009 . Christian Borle joined the cast the same day as Bert . Nicolas Dromard played Bert from July 16 to August 22, 2010 . Lee returned to the role of Bert on August 24, 2010, and was reunited with former London co-star, Kelly . Brown returned to the title role from March 8 to July 17, 2011, while Kelly was away filming a movie, reuniting her with Lee, and Kelly returned to role on July 19, 2011 . </P> <P> The Broadway production differed from the London production in that the "Jolly Holiday" sequence was staged in full technicolour instead of the gray tones of the London show, and in "Anything Can Happen" the stairs to the heavens were replaced by a giant version of Mary's umbrella entering from the stage floor . These changes were later transferred back to the West End production . Most recently, A new song has been added to the score, titled "Playing the Game". This replaces the already new "Temper, Temper" in the first act . This change has been added to all current and future productions of the show . </P>

Who played bert in mary poppins on broadway