The New York Times has an extensive interview with Cameron Mackintosh, creator of Les Miserables and Mary Poppins. Both shows are on Broadway right now and Mackintosh reflects on each.
“In the end they will be as successful as the public wants them to be,”
he said. “I’m going to be delivering two great pieces of theater. I
can’t do anything more than that.” He did not reveal the advance sales
on “Poppins,” saying only: “I’m always a little nervous. But they’re
pretty good. I’ll need to carry only one pair of underpants around with
me.”
Mary Poppins has played in London for over a year, the NY show is slightly different. Disney has teamed with Mackintosh to get Poppins made since they each shared rights for the stage production.