Andy Karl Returns to Broadway’s ‘Jersey Boys,’ Andrew Samonsky Takes Over in ‘Mystery of Edwin Drood’

Andy Karl will return to the Broadway production of “Jersey Boys” in the role of the Four Seasons’ founder Tommy DeVito.

As previously announced, Karl will leave his current roles of Neville Landless and Victor Grinstead in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” on February 10, and will begin appearing in “Jersey Boys” again on February 12, replacing Jeremy Kushnier. Karl previously played the role of DeVito during a year-long Broadway run from October 2011 to late last year.

He joins the current Broadway cast of the musical that includes John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, Matt Bogart as Nick Massi and Drew Gehling as Bob Gaudio.

Karl is best-known for originating the roles of Luke in “Altar Boyz,” the UPS Guy in “Legally Blonde” and Joe in “9 to 5.” He also has appeared on Broadway in “Wicked,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Slut! the Musical,” “Romeo & Bernadette” and “Saturday Night.”

Karl’s role in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Edwin Drood” will be taken over by Andrew Samonsky beginning February 12. Samonsky’s Broadway credits include “Scandalous” and “South Pacific,” and he has appeared Off-Broadway in “Queen of the Mist” and “Merrily We Roll Along.”

This is not the only casting shakeup that will take place that day — it was previously announced that Erin Davie will take over the role of Rosa Bud in the production from Betsy Wolfe on February 12, as well.

The current revival of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” is directed by Scott Ellis and features music direction by Paul Gemignani and choreography by Warren Carlyle. The production is a musical version of Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name. The original version premiered in 1986 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical, as well as Tonys for the script and score.