DaCosta and LaManna replace Solange Sandy and Natascia Diaz, respectively, as Charity's best pals Helene and Nickie, who commiserate with Charity that "there's gotta be something better than this."
LaManna made a name for herself in another Weissler-produced show, Seussical (she was quirky Gertrude McFuzz) and has since appeared in The Look of Love. DaCosta was part of the cast of Aida.
The cast changes are only the latest news in what has been a tumultuous three days for the high-profile musical production. Christina Applegate, the show's star, broke her foot during the March 11 performance in Chicago, two days before that second of three out-of-town engagements ended at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Understudy Dylis Croman stepped in March 11-13. Soon after, it was announced that the show would arrive in Boston with Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise in the title role March 18-27, at the Colonial Theatre.
"Miss Applegate's doctors are optimistic that she will be able to return to the show in time for the first preview performance at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 4," according to a spokesman for the producers, Barry and Fran Weissler and Clear Channel Entertainment.
Applegate sustained her injury at the beginning of the show March 11 and continued to play for approximately 20 minutes before being unable to continue, the producers confirmed. The show was stopped while Applegate's understudy, Dylis Croman, prepared to go on and finish the performance. The busy d'Amboise, a gifted dancer and comedienne lauded for her work as Roxie Hart in the national touring and Broadway companies of Chicago, appeared in Broadway's Chicago March 11 and then flew to the Windy City over the weekend. Barry and Fran Weissler are producers of both Chicago and Sweet Charity (both shows are directed by Walter Bobbie).
Producer Barry Weissler said in a statement, "The entire Charity family wishes Christina a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming her back to the company when the show begins performances on Broadway."
Playing Roxie, d'Amboise earned rave New York reviews and the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award, L.A. Ovation Award and Bay Area Theatre Circle Award for the national tour. Her credits include the Encores! production of Can-Can and Broadway's Contact, Lola in Damn Yankees (Fred Astaire Award), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Tony nomination), Company, Carrie, Song & Dance and Cats.
Boston will be the third and last pre-Broadway tryout town for the Walter Bobbie-directed musical. The show spent Feb. 8-20 in Minneapolis, and then moved on to Chicago on Feb. 24. The dates for Boston's Colonial Theatre are March 18-27, giving the company a few days to rehearse before d'Amboise plays. Changes and refinesments are ongoing.
Applegate, the star of TV's "Married...with Children" and Hollywood's "Anchorman," is a major part of the show's marketing: Her wide-eyed likeness appears on the marquee of the Hirschfeld, and in print ads.
Applegate (and now d'Amboise) will share the stage with the Oscar Linquist of Denis O'Hare, the Big Daddy of Rhett George and the Herman of Ernie Sabella.
The creative team for Sweet Charity comprises Wayne Cilento (choreographer), Scott Pask (set designer), William Ivey Long (costume design), Brian MacDevitt (lighting designer), Peter Hylenski (sound designer), Gordon Lowry Harrell (music director) and Don Sebesky (orchestrator).
