Mamma Mia!: Michael Pemberton to play 'Bill Austin'

Michael Pemberton is to play 'Bill Austin' from 13 Aug - 9 Sep 2008 in the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! at Winter Garden.

Pemberton is to temporarily replace Pearce Bunting who leaves the show after his performance on 10 Aug 2008 to star in 'Oedipus' at Philadelphia's Live Arts Festival, before returning on 10 Sep 2008.

Pemberton last appeared on Broadway in 'The Farnsworth Invention' (2007), and has understudied on Broadway in 'I'm Not Rappaport' (2002 revival) and 'Not About Nightingales' (1999).

Mamma Mia! opened in Broadway at Winter Garden on 18 Oct 2001, following previews from 5 Oct 2001, where it is currently bookig through to 4 Jan 2009.

Mamma Mia! is inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA�s timeless songs, Tony Award nominated writer Catherine Johnson�s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a tiny Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter�s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother�s past back to the island they last visited twenty years ago. Songs including �Dancing Queen�; �The Winner Takes It All�; �Money, Money, Money� and �Take A Chance on Me� are all featured.

Mamma Mia! currently features Carolee Carmello (Donna Sheridan), Christopher Shyer (Sam Carmichael), Gina Ferrall (Rosie), Judy McLane (Tanya), Carrie Manolako (Sophie Sheridan), Andrew Kelso (Sky), Amina Robinson (Ali), Samantha Eggers (Lisa), Ben Livingston (Harry Bright), Pearce Bunting (Bill Austin), Raymond J. Lee (Eddie), Ben Gettinger (Pepper) and Bryan Scott Johnson (Father Alexandrios).

Mamma Mia! has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bj�rn Ulvaeus, with book by Catherine Johnson.

The musical is directed by Phyllida Lloyd and has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, set design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

The show is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Bj�rn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.