Andrew Samonsky to Replace Andy Karl in Broadway’s Drood; Karl to Return to Jersey Boys

Andrew Samonsky (2012 Encores! Production of Merrily We Roll Along) will join the cast of The Mystery of Edwin Drood on February 12, replacing Andy Karl in the role (within a role) of “Neville Landless.” Karl will take his final bow with Drood on February 10 to return to the cast of Jersey Boys, the hit jukebox musical featuring the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, beginning February 12

Karl, reprising his role of Tommy DeVito, joined the cast of Jersey Boys for the first time on October 11 2011 and departed a year later on October 7 2012 to join the cast of Drood. Additional Broadway credits include 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Wicked, and Saturday Night Fever.

Samonsky recently appeared on Broadway in Scandalous and as Lt. Cable in the 2010 Live From Lincoln Center PBS broadcast of South Pacific. He received a Drama Desk nomination for his role of Frank Russell in Michael John LaChiusa’s 2012 off-broadway production of Queen of the Mist, and will be in the upcoming City Center Encores! production of Fiorello!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, directed by Tony nominee Scott Ellis (Curtains) began its run at Studio 54 on November 13, 2012. Based on an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, this “whodunit” musical, features a Tony Award-winning book and score written by Rupert Holmes. The show follows an acting troupe that performs the unfinished murder mystery, allowing its audience to choose a new ending every night.

Samonsky will be joining a cast of Broadway veterans, including Stephanie J. Block (The Boy From Oz) as Edwin Drood himself, Chita Rivera (Chicago) as Princess Puffer, Will Chase (High Fidelity) as John Jasper, Jessie Mueller (Into the Woods) as Helena Landless, and Jim Norton (Finian’s Rainbow) as Chairman. As previously reported, cast mate Betsy Wolfe (Everyday Rapture), will be departing the production on February 10. Erin Davie (Grey Gardens) will replace Wolfe in the role of Rosa Bud.