Originally scheduled for a Feb. 24-March 3 vacation, the Tony-nominated singer-actress will instead be out of the international hit musical March 8, 9, 11 and 12. A spokesperson for the actress confirmed the news. During that time, one of her understudies is expected to play the role of Donna, which Pitre created on the Toronto and Broadway stage. For her performance as Donna Sheridan in the Canadian, Broadway and touring companies of Mamma Mia!, Louise Pitre received the Dora Mavor Moore Award, the San Francisco Critics Circle Award, the U.S. National Broadway Award as well as a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her numerous theatrical credits include Piaf; Les Misérables; The World Goes 'Round; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Her solo recordings are titled "Songs My Mother Taught Me" and "All of My Life Has Led to This."
Mamma Mia! plays the Winter Garden Theatre, which is located in New York City at 1634 Broadway. For tickets, call (212) 239-6262. Mamma Mia! is on the web at http://www.mamma mia.com.
In related news: Pitre will headline a concert celebrating the French chanson on March 7 at New York's Town Hall. The Canadian actress will welcome singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom as well as French singer Michel Hermon at the one-night-only event, which is being dubbed French Cabaret: Viva La Chanson. The evening will feature tunes made famous by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour and other French-speaking and singing artists. Tickets are priced at $30 and $35 and are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting the Town Hall box office. Town Hall is located in Manhattan at 123 W. 43rd St.