Beth Leavel

[justafan2]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:41am

Is Mamma Mia in trouble? Why is Beth leaving the role of Donna to perform in Elf? (isn't Elf a holiday show?). Maybe she'll return to MM? Just wondering---she's such a strong performer...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:46am

Shes leaving because she WANTS OUT. I think she would have done porn if it got her out of that crap.

[Ilovekevincahoon]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:59am

Anyone know her last day?

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 12:03pm

Oct 10 per her website

[Ilovekevincahoon]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 12:12pm

thank you!

[justafan2]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 12:12pm

MM isn't my favorite show, either---but there is something to be said for steady income.

[mallardo]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 2:56pm

Really. Carolee Carmello did it for how long? Over a year, for sure.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:20pm

Carolee seemed to do it off and on for a couple of years...and to my mind, was the best Donna since Louise Pitre.

Leavel always seemed like an odd fit for the role.

I was a fan on Mamma Mia early on...have seen it five times over the years...but it's a show that's really dependent on the casting and maintaining a high energy level. If it lacks either...as it did with Dee Hoty and on tour, it can just lay there.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 6:03pm

"Why is Beth leaving the role of Donna to perform in Elf?"

Why not? Sure, Mamma Mia offers her a steady paycheck, but I'm sure she would like a change in environment. Besides, she's a great performer. I doubt she'll have much trouble getting work afterwards (even if she ends up returning to Mamma Mia).

Does anyone know who her replacement is? I'm seeing this show in November.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 6:17pm

Pretty sure it's Lisa Brescia.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 7:53pm

MM is my guilty pleasure...have seen it many times over the years, and no one (even Carolee Carmello, who I loved) has even come close to Louise Pitre in my mind. That said.. I saw Beth Leavel last week because I had heard good things about her Donna, and was absolutely blown away! She definitely made her character funnier than any other actress I'd seen in the role, and I liked it. Also, her vocals were amazing! I had seen her as the witch in "Into The Woods" about a year ago in Pittsburgh, and really liked her in that but somehow didn't think she'd be a good fit for MM - but I was proven wrong. She was wonderful! And she seemed to be having LOADS of fun, too, which is always nice to see.

I agree that MM is a show that really, really depends on the performers and the enrgy level. So right now, especially with John Dossett as Sam (what a wonderful, sensitive performer he is), I would totally recommend the show.

[mallardo]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 4:38am

I didn't realize John Dossett was in it. Wasn't his wife, Michelle Pawk, in it at one point? It would be fun to see them together.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 8:07am

Yes, Pawk was in it. They actually started out in it together - I saw their very first performance. She left after a few months, unfortunately, he stayed and now is back for another round. Pawk was definitely one of the most well acted Donna's
I've ever seen - LOVED her take on the character - but she was having some vocal problems at the time and sadly couldn't really handle the score (which people scoff about but it is actually quite hard, especially for Donna).

It was indeed fun to see them together, but he is also great with Beth Leavel. He's just great, and an amazing singer, too.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 10:26am

I finally saw MM this summer (when my own MM was visiting) and Beth was terrific. As mentioned above she was funny, funny, funny and sang the hell out of those songs. She was a great fit for the show and looked like she was having a ball. Can't wait to see her in Elf.