Producers of the Broadway musical Waitress have announced that the show’s composer and lyricist, the Multiplatinum-selling Grammy- and Tony-nominated singer-songwriter and New York Times best-selling author Sara Bareilles, will make her Broadway acting debut on March 31 in the lead role of Jenna Hunterson for a limited engagement of 10 weeks, through June 11.
Bareilles said, "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."
Read More: COVER STORY: Sara Bareilles Speaks to MC
Waitress announced last month that it recouped its $12 million investment in less than 10 months on Broadway, making it and Hamilton the only two new musicals from the last Broadway season (2015-2016) to go into profit.
Waitress opened April 24, 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Based upon the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by six-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.
Mueller, who currently stars in Waitress as Jenna, will play her final performance on March 26.
With a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album, Waitress will begin its U.S. national tour at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square this October.
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. This new American musical celebrates friendship, motherhood and the magic of a well-made pie.
Waitress is produced on Broadway by Barry and Fran Weissler and Norton and Elayne Herrick.
Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 877-250-2929 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Citi® cardmembers have preferred access to best-in-house tickets for Sara Bareilles' performances in Waitress. Tickets can be purchased from Feb. 16 through Feb. 23. Visit CitiPrivatePass.com for details.
Photo by Josh Lehrer
For more information, visit waitressthemusical.com.
