Leavel, Dossett and More Join Broadway's Mamma Mia! Sept. 22

By Andrew Gans
22 Sep 2009

Beth Leavel and John Dossett
Beth Leavel and John Dossett
Photo by Chris Macke; Mikel Healey

The Broadway production of the international hit musical Mamma Mia! welcomes a slew of new actors — including Tony Award winner BBeth Leaveland Tony nominee JJohn Dossett— Sept. 22 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone) succeeds Carolee Carmello in the role of Donna Sheridan, and Gypsy's Dossett steps into the role of Sam Carmichael.

The evening also welcomes Allison Briner (Rosie), Halle Morse (Lisa), Michael Mindlin (Pepper), Patrick Boll (Bill Austin), Alyse Alan Louis (Sophie), David Andrew Macdonald (Harry Bright) and Eric William Morris (Sky).

Judy McLane continues as Tanya.

Mamma Mia! employs the hit songs of famed pop group ABBA to tell the story of Sophie Sheridan, a young girl who hopes to discover the identity of her father. On the eve of her wedding, she brings three men from her mother Donna's past back to the Greek island they visited over two decades ago.

Mamma Mia! features music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, a book by Catherine Johnson, direction by Phyllida Lloyd and choreography by Anthony Van Laast.

John Dossett starred in the world premiere of Giant at the Signature Theatre and was seen in The First Wives Club at the Old Globe Theatre. Broadway credits include The Constant Wife, Democracy, Gypsy (Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations), Ragtime, Dinner at Eight and An Almost Holy Picture.

Beth Leavel was recently seen in the world premiere of Minsky's at the Ahmanson Theatre and as Lucille Early in the City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette. She received 2006 Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards for her title role performance in The Drowsy Chaperone. Leavel has also appeared on Broadway in Young Frankenstein, 42nd Street (original and revival), The Civil War, Show Boat and Crazy for You.

Mamma Mia! became the 14th longest-running show in Broadway history Aug. 2.

The Winter Garden Theatre is located in Manhattan at 1634 Broadway. For more information visit www.mamma-mia.com.