Leah Hocking to be Mamma Mia!'s Next Dancing Queen

Leah Hocking will be Mamma Mia!'s next Donna Sheridan. She is set to begin performances on June 7, replacing current lead Corinne Melançon, according to a production spokesperson.

Hocking is currently playing another mother, Velma Von Tussle, in Hairspray. She recently took a leave from the show in order to play Cleo in the New York City Opera staging of The Most Happy Fella. In addition to Hairspray, Hocking has appeared on the Great White Way in All Shook Up, Dance of the Vampires, The Wild Party, Jekyll & Hyde, Grease and Guys and Dolls. Her off-Broadway credits include The Thing About Men, Forbidden Broadway and Inside Out.

Melançon, a former understudy, assumed the lead role of Donna in mid-February after Michele Pawk left the production suddenly. In addition to Melançon, the current cast of Mamma Mia! includes John Dossett, Carey Anderson, Judy McLane, Olga Merediz, Andy Kelso, Mark L. Montgomery and David Beach.