Following a world premiere at the American Repertory Theater, Waitress opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre April 24, 2016, making history as the first Broadway musical to have women in the four top creative spots: composer Sara Bareilles, book writer Jessie Nelson, director Diane Paulus, and choreographer Lorin Latarro. The production played 33 previews and 1,544 regular performances before closing January 5, 2020, earning four Tony nominations including Best Original Score and Best Musical.
Based on the 2007 film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna must weigh her commitments against a rare shot at freedom and recognition.
Keala Settle, Jessie Mueller and Kimiko Glenn in the original Broadway production of Waitress
The original Broadway cast starred Jessie Mueller as Jenna, Keala Settle as Becky, Kimiko Glenn as Dawn, Drew Gehling as Dr. Pomatter, Nick Cordero as Earl, Dakin Matthews as Joe, Eric Anderson as Cal, Christopher Fitzgerald as Ogie, Charity Angél Dawson as Nurse Norma, and Claire Keane and McKenna Keane as Lulu. Rounding out the company were ensemble members Thay Floyd, Molly Hager, Aisha Jackson, Jeremy Morse, Stephanie Torns, and Ryan Vasquez with Henry Gottfried, Max Kumangai, and Ragan Pharris as swings.
Following Mueller’s Tony-nominated performance as Jenna, the role was played on Broadway by Shoshana Bean, Nicolette Robinson, Betsy Wolfe, Jordin Sparks, Allison Luff, Katharine McPhee, and Stephanie Torns as well as Bareilles herself for multiple stints. Other replacements have included Gavin Creel and Jason Mraz as Dr. Pomatter, Al Roker and June Squibb as Joe (the latter adopting the name Josie), Todrick Hall and Noah Galvin as Ogie, and Colleen Ballinger and Jenna Ushkowitz as Dawn.
Waitress featured set design by Scott Pask, costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting by Christopher Akerlind, and sound design by Jonathan Deans with stage management by Thomas J. Gates, Matthew Lacey, and Becky Fleming. Visit the Playbill Vault for the complete cast and creative team.
