Nicolette Robinson will make her Broadway debut in Waitress, taking on the central role of pie baker Jenna.
Robinson will take her first Broadway bow at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre September 4, playing a limited engagement through October 28. Smash and American Idol veteran Katharine McPhee currently stars as Jenna—also in her Broadway debut—through August 19.
Robinson becomes the first woman of color to take the lead in the Sara Bareilles musical. She has previously appeared on the New York stage in Off-Broadway's Invisible Thread and Brooklynite. Her TV credits include Perfect Couples, Hart of Dixie, and The Affair.
The current cast includes Erich Bergen as Dr. Pomatter (through August 12), Katie Lowes as Dawn, Adam Shapiro as Ogie, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Becky, Ben Thompson as Earl, Benny Elledge as Cal, and Bill Nolte as Joe.
Robinson and her husband, Hamilton Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr., welcomed their first child in April last year.