Beth Leavel's Road to Becoming a Dynamo: Part One

What does it take to play Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!? The part of the Greek taverna owner with a trio of past lovers on her doorstep and a daughter to marry off—all set to the tunes of Swedish super-group ABBA—is one mother of a role. To find out more about all of that belting, dancing and Spandex-wearing, we caught up with Beth Leavel, a Tony winner for her performance in The Drowsy Chaperone, as she prepared to step into the Mamma Mia! spotlight. (She begins performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 22.) First up, Leavel and co-star John Dossett rehearse a number, chat about the musical phenomenon and get seriously silly. Watch it! And don’t forget to come back for more in our series on Leavel’s road to becoming a Dynamo.