Jessica Crouch is playing Donna Sheridan in the touring production of “Mamma Mia!” at Washington’s National Theatre through Nov. 15. She has been performing the role for about nine months, according to DC News Now.
The musical follows Donna, her daughter Sophie and three men who may be Sophie’s father. DC News Now describes Donna’s island life alongside her friends, the Dynamos, and the three potential fathers. Crouch named “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” and “The Winner Takes It All” among the show’s standout songs, the outlet reported.
A touring milestone
The Washington engagement is part of a tour billed as the “25th Anniversary Tour,” according to Hotchka. The Hartford Courant reported that this month marks the musical’s 25th anniversary on Broadway and that the original London production reached 10,000 performances in 2024.
Crouch previously played Donna at Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak Center, where the production ran in mid-June, according to KRDO. Before the Washington stop, the tour played Hartford’s Bushnell in late October, the Courant reported.
Crouch’s approach to the role
In an interview with Maryland Theatre Guide, Crouch said she had considered skipping the initial audition because she did not yet envision herself as Donna. She also described the prospect of another year on tour as daunting. After receiving the offer, she said she felt ready to take on the part.
Crouch told Maryland Theatre Guide that the production’s creative team supported her as she developed her portrayal of Donna. These details about her doubts and preparation come from that interview, rather than independent reporting for this article.
Crouch’s credits include the original Broadway cast of “Pretty Woman: The Musical” and playing Kit De Luca on its first U.S. national and Japan tours, Maryland Theatre Guide reported. The National Theatre lists “Mamma Mia!” at two hours and 35 minutes, including one intermission, and recommends it for audiences ages six and up. Details are on the venue’s show page.
