A spokesperson for the musical told Playbill.com that Pawk is "taking a leave of absence on doctor's orders for bruised vocal cords." The singing actress, who won her Tony for her work in Hollywood Arms, is set to return to the musical at the Winter Garden Theatre Feb. 8, 2006. During her absence, the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Lauren Mufson, who has played that same role for over two years in the show's national touring company. (Mufson's understudy, Laurie Wells, will play Donna on the tour during Mufson's Broadway run.)

Michele Pawk received a Tony Award for her performance in Hollywood Arms. She has also starred on The Great White Way in Mail, Crazy for You, Chicago, Triumph of Love, Cabaret and Seussical, and she was also seen in the out-of-town tryouts of Stephen Sondheim's Bounce.

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. The musical celebrated its fifth anniversary on Broadway Oct. 19, 2005.