New York City
McPhee will take over the role of expert pie maker Jenna this spring.
The producers of Waitress announced today that Katharine McPhee will make her Broadway debut this spring, taking over the lead role of Jenna. She will play a limited engagement, April 10-June 17, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
McPhee launched her recording career as runner-up on season 5 of American Idol. She led the cast of the Broadway-themed NBC series Smash, and she currently stars in the CBS dramatic series Scorpion. Her latest album I Fall in Love Too Easily was released by BMG in 2017.
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's 2007 motion picture, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life.
The role of Jenna is currently played by Sara Bareilles (through March 11), who penned the musical's Tony-nominated score. Waitress also features a book by Jessie Nelson and direction by Diane Paulus.