Previews begin in March 2016 and opening night is scheduled for April at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where It Shoulda Been You just closed, and where Spring Awakening will play a limited run starting in September. Precise dates have not yet been announced. The A.R.T. production will have its official opening night on Aug. 20.
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Directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus with choreography by Chase Brock, the A.R.T. cast is led by Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful) as Jenna, Jeanna de Waal as Dawn, Drew Gehling as Dr. Pomatter, Dakin Matthews as Joe, Keala Settle as Becky, Eric Anderson as Cal, Jeremy Morse as Ogie and Joe Tippett as Earl. The Broadway cast will be announced at a later date, according to production notes.
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Ensemble members in A.R.T. are Charity Angel Dawson, David Jennings, Corey Mach, Ragan Pharris, Cullen R. Titmas and Stephanie Torns. Swings are Emily Afton and Ben Sidell.
Based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, the new musical has a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Grammy winner Bareilles. Waitress will be produced on Broadway by Barry and Fran Weissler and Norton and Elayne Herrick.
Broadway tickets are not yet on sale. Tickets for the A.R.T. production are available by visiting americanrepertorytheater.org/waitress.
The creative team also includes set design by Scott Pask, costumes by Suttirat Larlarb, lighting by Ken Posner and sound by Jonathan Deans. Casting is by Telsey & Company.
Waitress, according to press notes, concerns "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. Her customers, co-workers, and the town’s handsome new doctor all offer her conflicting recipes for happiness — but Jenna must ultimately decide for herself."
Loeb Drama Center is located at 64 Brattle Street in Cambridge.
ART has posted the first sizzle video from the production. It features Mueller, Settle, and other cast members, plus director Diane Paulus, at rehearsals.
Titled "Waitress: A First Look," the video is currently available only on Facebook.
