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Sara Bareilles, Jessie Mueller, and More Preview Broadway's Waitress

The new musical is inspired by the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelley.

Jessie Mueller performs "She Used to Be Mine" from the new Broadway musical Waitress.
Jessie Mueller performs "She Used to Be Mine" from the new Broadway musical Waitress.
(© David Gordon)

The stars of the new Broadway musical Waitress met the press at the New 42nd Street Studios on Thursday, March 3.

Keala Settle, Jessie Mueller, and Kimiko Glenn sing "Soft Place to Land."
Keala Settle, Jessie Mueller, and Kimiko Glenn sing "Soft Place to Land."
(© David Gordon)

Inspired by Adrienne Shelley's 2007 motion picture, Waitress marks the Broadway debut of Grammy-nominated songwriter Sara Bareilles and noted screenwriter and director Jessie Nelson, who pen the show's score and book.

Keala Settle, Kimiko Glenn, and Jessie Mueller bake a pie.
Keala Settle, Kimiko Glenn, and Jessie Mueller bake a pie.
(© David Gordon)

The company is headed by Tony winner Jessie Mueller, alongside Tony nominees Nick Cordero, Keala Settle, and Christopher Fitzgerald, Kimiko Glenn, Drew Gehling, Dakin Matthews, Eric Anderson, Charity Angél Dawson, Jeremy Morse, Stephanie Torns, Thay Floyd, Molly Hager, Aisha Jackson, Ragan Pharris, Ryan Vasquez, Max Kumangai. and Henry Gottfried.

Christopher Fitzgerald leads the cast of Waitress in "I Love You Like a Table."
Christopher Fitzgerald leads the cast of Waitress in "I Love You Like a Table."
(© David Gordon)

Mueller plays 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.

The cast of Waitress performs Lorin Latarro's choreography.
The cast of Waitress performs Lorin Latarro's choreography.
(© David Gordon)

Waitress premiered in 2015 at American Repertory Theater in Boston. The musical is directed by Diane Paulus, choreographed by Lorin Latarro, and designed by Scott Pask (sets), Suttirat Larlarb (costumes), Christopher Akerlind (lighting), and Jonathan Deans (sound). Nadia DiGiallonardo serves as musical director.

Kimiko Glenn, Molly Hager, and Christopher Fitzgerald rehearse a moment from Waitress.
Kimiko Glenn, Molly Hager, and Christopher Fitzgerald rehearse a moment from Waitress.
(© David Gordon)

With Bareilles, Nelson, Paulus, and Latarro at the helm, Waitress makes history as the first musical whose traditional four-person creative team is made up entirely of women. An earlier precedent was set by the 1978 Broadway musical Runaways, which had book, score, choreography, and direction solely by Elizabeth Swados.

Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling share a steamy moment in rehearsal.
Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling share a steamy moment in rehearsal.
(© David Gordon)

The musical begins previews Friday, March 25 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, with opening night set for April 24.

Jessie Mueller shares a photo with her Waitress songwriter, Sara Bareilles.
Jessie Mueller shares a photo with her Waitress songwriter, Sara Bareilles.
(© David Gordon)

Keala Settle, Jessie Mueller, and Kimiko Glenn are the three central servers of Waitress.
Keala Settle, Jessie Mueller, and Kimiko Glenn are the three central servers of Waitress.
(© David Gordon)

Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling head the cast of Waitress as Jenna and Dr. Pomatter.
Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling head the cast of Waitress as Jenna and Dr. Pomatter.
(© David Gordon)

Jessie Mueller and Nick Cordero play onstage spouses Jenna and Earl.
Jessie Mueller and Nick Cordero play onstage spouses Jenna and Earl.
(© David Gordon)

Christopher Fitzgerald and Kimiko Glenn play onstage couple Ogie and Dawn.
Christopher Fitzgerald and Kimiko Glenn play onstage couple Ogie and Dawn.
(© David Gordon)

Waitress makes history with an all-female creative team consisting of choreographer Lorin Latarro, songwriter Sara Bareilles, director Diane Paulus, and book writer Jessie Nelson.
Waitress makes history with an all-female creative team consisting of choreographer Lorin Latarro, songwriter Sara Bareilles, director Diane Paulus, and book writer Jessie Nelson.
(© David Gordon)

The men of Waitress: Eric Anderson, Drew Gehling, Christopher Fitzgerald, Nick Cordero, and Dakin Matthews.
The men of Waitress: Eric Anderson, Drew Gehling, Christopher Fitzgerald, Nick Cordero, and Dakin Matthews.
(© David Gordon)

Catch the cast of Waitress in action at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre beginning March 25.
Catch the cast of Waitress in action at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre beginning March 25.
(© David Gordon)

For tickets and more information, click here.

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Waitress

Closed: January 5, 2020