The Drowsy Chaperone: Janine LaManna, Jo Anne Worley and Mara Davi to join cast

The Drowsy Chaperone has announced cast changes for two of its leading ladies. Janine LaManna will play Janet Van De Graaff and Jo Anne Worley will play Mrs. Tottendale, both from the 17 Apr 2007, the same date that Jonathan Glover will assume the role of The Man in Chair.

LaManna will play the role of Janet Van De Graaff from 17 Apr 2007 - 29 Jul 2007. She assumes the role from Sutton Foster who will make her last performance on 15 Apr 2007. Foster is leaving to play Inga, Young Dr Frankenstein's female assisstant, in Mel Brook's new musical Young Frankenstein.

Mara Davi, is currently making her Broadway debut playing the role of Maggie in A Chorus Line, will play the role of Janet Van De Graaff from 31 Jul 2007.

Jo Anne Worley assumes the role of Mrs. Tottendale from fellow Georgia Engel on 17 Apr 2007. Engel will play her final performance on 1 Apr 2007. Understudies Stacia Fernandez and Linda Gabler will alternate as Mrs. Tottendale from 2 - 16 Apr 2007.

Janine LaManna was last seen on Broadway playing Nickie in Sweet Charity (2005 revival), her other Broadway credits are The Look of Love (2003), Seussical (2000), Swing! (1999), Kiss Me, Kate (1999 revival) and Ragtime (1998).

Jo Anne Worley was last seen on Broadway playing Miss Lynch in Grease (1994 revival), her other Broadway credits are Prince of Central Park (1989), Hello, Dolly! (1964) and The Billy Barnes People (1961). She is known to many for her many years on the Television show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in.

The current cast features: Danny Burstein (Adolpho), Georgia Engel (Mrs Tottendale), Sutton Foster (Janet Van De Graaff), Peter Bartlett (Underling), Troy Britton Johnson (Robert Martin), Eddie Korbich (George), Garth Kravits (Gangster 2), Jason Kravits (Gangster 1), Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Kecia Lewis-Evans (Trix), Jonathan Crombie (Man in Chair), Jennifer Smith (Kitty) and Lenny Wolpe (Feldzieg).

The Drowsy Chaperone opened at the Marquis Theatre on the 1 May 2006, following previews from the 3 Apr 2006, where it is currently booking to 26 Aug 2007.

The musical opened to mixed notices. The New York times said "Small and ingratiating musical" and the New York Post called it a "little, horrifyingly pastiche musical. However, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "The happiest surprise of the Broadway season� and The Associated Press called it "a disarming, delightful souffl� ." www.newyorktheatreguide.com reviewer, Polly Wittenberg wrote, when the play finished "I was delighted to be outside in fresh air."

You can read more of what the critics said here

The Drowsy Chaperone won five 2006 Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards and four Outer Critics Circle Awards.

To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as 'Man in Chair' (Bob Martin) drops the needle on his favorite LP � the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life on stage, telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs.

The Drowsy Chaperone features music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The production is directed and choregraphed by Casey Nicholaw.

Set design is by David Gallo, with costumes by Gregg Barnes, lighting by Ken Billington and Brian Monahan and sound by Acme Sound Partners.