Introducing the Lead Cast of the Broadway Hit “Waitress”

The musical Waitress, which began performances on March 25 2016 at the Lena Horne Theatre, is widely known as the first Broadway musical created entirely by a team of women. Based on the 2007 film of the same title, this production became a major hit in the United States, where the film gained strong popularity after earning more than twenty two million dollars at the box office on a production budget of about one point five million dollars. This page highlights the actresses who have portrayed Jenna, the lead role that continues to attract attention, along with details about the show and available discount tickets.

The musical Waitress, running since 2016

Waitress is based on the 2007 film directed by Adrienne Shelly and starring Hollywood actress Keri Russell. For the stage adaptation, every major creative position, including the songwriter, book writer, director, and choreographer, was filled by women. Singer songwriter Sara Bareilles composed the entire score and wrote all the lyrics, making Waitress the first Broadway musical created exclusively by women.

The musical Waitress, running since 2016

Compared with many other Broadway shows, Waitress is known for its frequent changes in the actress playing the lead role of Jenna. The show has featured stage actors as well as singers and performers making their Broadway debut. From Jessie Mueller, the original Jenna who earned a Tony Award nomination in 2016, to later actresses scheduled for future performances, this page introduces the notable cast members who have brought their own interpretations to the role. The different portrayals of Jenna are one of the elements that make this musical so engaging.

First Jenna: Jessie Mueller

• Performance dates: March 25 2016 to September 11 2016
• Born February 20 1983, American actress

Jessie Mueller won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Beautiful before originating the role of Jenna. Her performance in Waitress earned her another nomination in the same category. She later starred in the Broadway revival of Carousel, where she again received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Sara Bareilles

• Performance dates: March 31 2017 to June 11 2017
• Born December 7 1979, American singer songwriter

Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics for Waitress, rose to fame with her 2007 single Love Song, which topped the Billboard Pop 100 chart. She has been nominated for the Grammy Awards multiple times and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score for her work on Waitress. She also appeared as Jenna for a limited engagement and co hosted the 2018 Tony Awards ceremony.

Katharine McPhee

• Performance dates: April 10 2018 to present (at the time)
• Born March 25 1984, American actress and singer

Katharine McPhee gained widespread recognition for her role as Karen Cartwright in the television drama Smash, which centers on Broadway. Her debut album reached number two on the US Billboard charts. Her engagement in Waitress marked her Broadway debut and was scheduled as a limited run through August 19.

Next Jenna: Nicolette Robinson

• Planned performance dates: September 4 2018 to October 28 2018
• Born April 18 1988, American actress

While Katharine McPhee continued her limited engagement, it was announced that actress Nicolette Robinson would be the next to play Jenna. Known mainly for her television roles, Waitress marked her Broadway debut. Her husband, Leslie Odom Jr., won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Hamilton, drawing additional attention to her Broadway appearance.

Waitress performance venue

Venue: Lena Horne Theatre

Address: 256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

The musical Waitress is performed at the Lena Horne Theatre, located on 47th Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue in the center of the Theater District. Its location near Times Square offers excellent accessibility for visitors.

Watch a video from Waitress

Here is a video of Sara Bareilles performing as Jenna during her limited engagement in the show.

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