Broadway's Mamma Mia! to Welcome a New Donna in June

By Andrew Gans
19 Apr 2006

Leah Hocking, who currently plays Velma Von Tussle in the Tony-winning musical Hairspray, will join the Broadway company of Mamma Mia! in June.

Hocking will be the latest actress to play the lead role of Donna Sheridan, which was created on Broadway by Tony nominee Louise Pitre. Hocking will succeed Corinne Melançon in the part, which has also been played by Michele Pawk, Carolee Carmello and Dee Hoty. Hocking will begin her Mamma stint June 7, according to a spokesperson for the hit ABBA musical.

The Mamma Mia! company currently features Carey Anderson as Sophie Sheridan, Judy McLane as Tanya, Olga Merediz as Rosie, Andy Kelso as Sky, David Beach as Harry Bright, Mark L. Montgomery as Bill Austin and John Dossett as Sam Carmichael.

Leah Hocking has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray, All Shook Up, The Wild Party, Dance of the Vampires, Jekyll & Hyde, Grease! and Guys and Dolls. Off-Broadway she was seen in The Thing About Men, The Best of Forbidden Broadway, Inside Out, Buck and Simple. Hocking's screen credits include "Once Around the Universe," "Whoopi" and "Law & Order."

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.

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. The musical plays the Winter Garden Theatre, which is located in New York City at 1634 Broadway. For tickets, call (212) 239-6262. The musical offers performances Wednesday through Saturdays at 8 PM, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7 PM.