Broadway's Mamma Mia! to Welcome Leah Hocking, June 7

Leah Hocking, who plays the villainous Velma von Tussle in Broadway's Hairspray, will play fun-loving mother Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, beginning June 7th.

Hocking will succeed Corinne Melançon as Donna, who while on a tiny Greek Island, tries to settle her daughter Sophie's paternity before the latter's wedding. The show also currently features Carey Anderson as Sophie, Judy McLane as Tanya, Olga Merediz as Rosie, John Dossett as Sam Carmichael, David Beach as Harry Bright, Andy Kelso as Sky, and Mark L. Montgomery as Bill Austin.

An upcoming film version was just announced for Mamma Mia!, which has played over 1,850 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre since opening in October of 2001. The show is set to the songs of ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with hits including "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money" and "The Winner Takes It All." The show originally starred Louise Pitre, Judy Kaye, Karen Mason and others.

Hocking, who recently played Cleo in the New York City Opera's production of The Most Happy Fella, was previously seen on Broadway in All Shook Up, Dance of the Vampires,The Wild Party, Jekyll and Hyde, Grease and Guys and Dolls. Off-Broadway, she starred in the musical comedy The Thing About Men, as well as in Forbidden Broadway and Inside Out.

Mamma Mia!'s book is by Catherine Johnson, with direction by Phyllida Lloyd and choreography by Anthony Van Laast. Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the musical features production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

For tickets to Mamma Mia!, call (212) 239-6262. For more information, visit www.mamma-mia.com.

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