Waitress has announced the cast for a new national tour, which will return to Charlotte for a special five-week engagement April 19-May 22 in the Booth Playhouse, followed by a five-week engagement at Cleveland's Playhouse Square May 26-June 26 in the Hanna Theatre, both as previously announced.
Stephanie Torns will star as Jenna Hunterson after understudying the role at the American Repertory Theater, as well as on Broadway. Torns also played supporting and ensemble roles throughout the original Broadway run and the show's restaging in 2021.
Joining Torns are Olivia Phillip as Becky, Kendyl Ito as Dawn, Bryan Fenkart as Dr. Pomatter, Timothy John Smith as Cal, Larry Marshall as Joe, Matt DeAngelis as Earl, and Daniel Quadrino as Ogie. The ensemble features Lianah Sta. Ana, Julia Bain, Ethan Carlson, Galyana Castillo, Andrew Fitch, Max Kumangai, Bailey McCall, Gerianne Perez, Brad Standley, Chris Stevens, and Curtis Thomas.
The role of Lulu will be cast locally in Charlotte March 29 with a "Search for Lulu" casting event. More details will be announced about this event in the coming days.
Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first musical in Broadway history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Grammy winner and Tony and Emmy nominated Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro, and direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus.
The Waitress design team features sets by Tony winner Scott Pask, costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting by Tony winner Christopher Akerlind and sound by Tony nominee Jonathan Deans. Music supervisor is Nadia DiGiallonardo. Casting is by Telsey + Company.
Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna fights to reclaim a long-forgotten part of herself. Through the support of her fellow waitresses, and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take a long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose, and the beauty of a well baked pie.
