New York City
The show’s Tony-nominated songwriter will take on the leading role.
Tony- and Grammy-nominated Waitress songwriter Sara Bareilles will join the cast of her own musical in the leading role beginning on March 31. Bareilles will make her Broadway acting debut as Jenna, replacing Jessie Mueller, who will play her final performance on March 26. Bareilles will continue in the role for 10 weeks, through June 11.
"Waitress has turned out to be one of the great, true loves of my life, and they simply can't get rid of me. 🙂 I consider it an incredible honor to follow the masterful work of Jessie Mueller as she so gracefully brought the character of Jenna to life, and I am thrilled to continue to tell this story that has so much heart. This show changed my life in so many ways, and I feel great privilege in joining our beloved cast and crew who make me laugh and cry every time I watch the show. All I want is to keep sharing the love, and dear God please let me remember my lines," said Bareilles in a statement.
Inspired by Adrienne Shelley's 2007 motion picture, Waitress features songs by Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson. It opened April 24 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
The current company features Eric Anderson (Cal), Charity Angél Dawson (Becky), Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), Caitlin Houlahan (Dawn), Dakin Matthews (Joe), William Popp (Earl), Cate Elefante, Thay Floyd, Henry Gottfried, Molly Hager, Aisha Jackson, Molly Jobe, Max Kumangai, Anastacia McClesky, Ella Dane Morgan, Jeremy Morse, Olivia Phillip, Stephanie Torns, and Ryan Vasquez.
Waitress premiered in 2015 at American Repertory Theater in Boston. The musical is directed by Diane Paulus, choreographed by Lorin Latarro, and designed by Scott Pask (sets), Suttirat Larlarb (costumes), Christopher Akerlind (lighting), and Jonathan Deans (sound).