Mamma Mia! Return of Popular Musical Puts a Bear Daddy on Broadway

In a chat with Jim Newman, he mentioned these days he feels more like a daddy than a muscle bear. Perhaps that feeling stems from his being identified as a daddy in one of the internet’s most successful web series Daddyhunt.

That also might have prepared Newman for a role literally as a daddy in the current Broadway revival of Mamma Mia!, playing at the Winter Garden Theatre until Feb. 1, 2026.

Many of his fans – a lot from the bear community – may not have known that Newman is a triple threat who has been on Broadway as a dancer, singer and actor as well as countless movies and TV appearances. Newman is excited to return to the stage, as is the audience, to see Mamma Mia! once again, having been away for a decade and returning to the same theatre where it all started.

Newman is happy to be in a hit this time around in a show that has camaraderie backstage as well as being a known and popular entity among audiences. He says that, especially in these times, people seek out a “joyful escape” and this show is just the ticket. Further, while it was turned into a movie and a sequel – with another on the way – Newman says nothing beats a live performance.

“It brings people together to share in the experience and has even become a fun girls’ night out event,” he says. “Also, at the end we invite the audience to sing-a-long and everyone leaves the theatre happy.”

This isn’t just his opinion, this is a fact as Mamma has played to 100% capacity for the past three weeks and it doesn’t look like it is slowing down.

While it is selling out, don’t expect it to be extended. According to Newman, this show will be going on tour – even the same sets – so unless they build a new set, best to catch it on Broadway. Newman alas won’t be touring with the show but is scheduled to be in the entire run of the show in New York.

For fans of Newman – many new ones who discovered him on social media, especially during the pandemic – may not know his rich history in theatre and entertaining.

Newman has worked with Liza Minnelli in her show as a singer and a dancer and has had two strong roles in acclaimed but ill-fated Broadway musicals Hands on a Hard Body and Steel Pier. But he did have a role in a successful musical as well: the Tony-winning Curtains.

His current fanbase knows him from his singing, dancing and chats he’s done on social media which has increased his followers immensely since the pandemic. “At that time,” he says, “when I grew my followers I ended up getting sponsors and getting paid for what I did” which at the time during the shutdown that was his only income.

He still posts enjoyable, informative and often sexy photos and videos but less as a way to make money and more for the enjoyment of it.

He is currently focused on his work in Mamma Mia! and, thinking ahead when it’s over, the likelihood of a new web series from the creator of Daddyhunt entitled Pillow Talk. “That show will have a broad-spectrum representing men from twinks to older gentlemen.” With Newman in the cast, we will return to wonder if he’s a daddy or a muscle bear.

While we’re waiting for that to come to fruition, we have the opportunity to catch him in Mamma Mia! More info: Home