Laurie Veldheer Tapped to Play Bride-to-Be Sophie in Mamma Mia! on Broadway

I do, I do, I do! Laurie Veldheer is Broadway’s newest Sophie Sheridan in the long-running hit Mamma Mia! beginning this week. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Mamma Mia! is currently playing at the Winter Garden Theatre. Veldheer succeeds Christy Altomare, who took over the role of Sophie in June 2012. As previously reported, the production is scheduled to relocate to the Broadhurst Theatre in late 2013.

Featuring music and lyrics by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and a book by Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! tells the story of Sophie Sheridan (Veldheer), who invites three possible dads to walk her down the aisle at her wedding—unbeknownst to her mother, Donna (Judy McLane). Mamma Mia! originally opened October 18, 2001 at the Winter Garden Theatre, after premiering in London’s Wet End in 1999.

In addition to Veldheer and McLane, Mamma Mia! stars Felicia Finley as Tanya, Zak Resnick as Sky, Lauren Cohn as Rosie, Aaron Lazar as Sam Carmichael, Graham Rowat as Harry Bright, Daniel Cooney as Bill Austin, Jacob Pinion as Pepper, Thomasina E. Gross as Lisa, Traci Victoria as Allie and Albert Guerzon as Eddie. The production also features Deanna Aguinaga, Sydni Beaudoin, Brent Black, Natalie Bradshaw, Felicity Claire, Allyson Carr, Mark Dancewicz, Stacia Fernandez, Adrienne Jean Fisher, Tony Gonzalez, Corinne Melancon, Bryan Scott Johnson, Paul Heesang Miller, Christopher Hudson Myers, Jennifer Noth, Elena Ricardo, Gerard Salvador, Lauren Sambataro, Victor Wallace and Blake Whyte.

Veldheer made her Broadway debut in Newsies after originating the role of Hannah/Smalls in the Paper Mill Playhouse production. Her additional regional theater credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray and Next to Normal.