Mamma Mia! Loses a Dancing Queen; Pawk Exits Production

Tony Award-winning actress Michele Pawk has left the Broadway company of Mamma Mia!. No official reason was given for her departure. Understudy Corinne Melançon has assumed the role of Donna Sheridan, according to a production spokesperson.

Pawk, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the play Hollywood Arms, joined the company of Mamma Mia! on October 19, the same day as her husband, John Dossett. She was on medical leave from December 11 through February 8 because of "bruised vocal cords." During that period, tour star, Lauren Mufson, stepped in to play the lead in the Broadway company. Pawk played her final performance on February 20.

Melançon appeared in the ensemble of Mamma Mia! and understudied the characters of Donna and Tanya. Her other Broadway credits include Kiss Me, Kate, Jekyll & Hyde, Big, My Fair Lady and Me and My Girl.

The rest of the cast of Mamma Mia!--which includes Dossett, Carey Anderson, Judy McLane, Olga Merediz, Andy Kelso, Mark L. Montgomery and David Beach--remains unchanged.