New Mom Elizabeth Parkinson to Return to Movin' Out Company in February

Original Movin' Out lead Elizabeth Parkinson, who earned a Tony nomination for her performance in the hit musical, is returning the show next month, having completed maternity leave. Nancy Lemenager will play her final performance as Brenda on February 6.

"I am thrilled to be returning to Movin' Out," an elated Parkinson told Broadway.com. "I feel like I have even more to offer artistically and am ready to meet the challenge again."

Parkinson left Movin' Out last March, pregnant with her first child by husband, and Movin' Out co-star, Scott Wise. She gave birth to baby James Montana Wise at New York Presbyterian Hospital on September 24.

"This past year has been probably one of the best in my whole life," Parkinson said. "I felt so blessed to be pregnant and to deliver a beautiful baby boy. It was the first time since I have been a professional performer that I had time off and I enjoyed every bit of it. Even though I was carrying a baby, which is rough on the body, for me it was a big physical rest compared to doing a Broadway show!"

In addition to her Tony nomination, Movin' Out earned Parkinson an Astaire Award for her acclaimed performance as Brenda. She also appeared on the Great White Way in Fosse. Before Broadway beckoned, Parkinson served a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Feld Ballet, Donald Byrd and Twyla Tharp Dance companies.

"I know [when I go back to Movin' Out] it will be heart wrenching not to tuck James into bed that first night, but not many mothers get to spend all day long with their babies," Parkinson noted. "One of my biggest fears has been that I would return and not be in the same shape that I was in when I left the show, or that my heart would not be in it. I looked to my friends, Charlotte d'Amboise, Tracy Terstriep, and Mary Ann Lamb, as examples--they all returned to shows after pregnancy looking better than ever and more inspired by their experiences as new mothers. I strongly believe that if I am fulfilled as an artist, performer and individual I will be a better and more complete mother. I am also very lucky that my husband, Scott Wise, is a committed father who truly shares the duties of rearing a son!"

Movin' Out will continue to star John Selya, Desmond Richardson, Ashley Tuttle, Wise and Michael Cavanaugh. Parkinson is expected to play her first performance back in the tuner on February 5 and then return to the company full-time on February 9.