Katharine McPhee as Jenna

Katharine McPhee will return for the final weeks of Waitress on Broadway

The "Smash" favorite will reprise the leading role of Jenna from November 25, 2019 for the remainder of the Broadway run.

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

Back for a final shift at the diner! "American Idol" and "Smash" star Katharine McPhee is set to reprise the leading role of Jenna in Broadway's hit musical Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre from November 25, 2019, and will remain with the production for the remainder of its Broadway run through January 5, 2020.

Ms. McPhee previously played the role on Broadway from April 10 through June 17, 2018 (marking her Broadway debut), and again from July 5 through August 19, 2018. She also originated the role in the musical's West End premiere from February 2019. She rose to fame as runner-up on the fifth season of "American Idol" back in 2006 and has subsequently released a total of five studio albums. On television, she is perhaps best known for her leading role as Karen Cartwright in NBC's Broadway-centric musical series "Smash" and as Paige Dineen in the CBS TV series "Scorpion." Read our Katharine McPhee interview from her Broadway debut engagement here.

The current principal cast of Waitress includes Grammy Award nominee and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks (as Jenna through November 24), Drew Gehling (as Dr. Pomatter), Natasha Yvette Williams (as Becky), Caitlin Houlahan (as Dawn), Ben Thompson (as Earl), NBC's "TODAY Show" star Al Roker (as Old Joe through November 24), Benny Elledge (as Cal), and three-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (as Ogie).

Waitress officially opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 24, 2016, following previews from March 25, and is scheduled to close on January 5, 2020.

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 seven-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.

Synopsis: "Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, the musical follows Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop forever... until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town's handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Supported by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she's been missing all along - courage."

The creative team features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Suttirat Larlarb, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind and sound design by Jonathan Deans.

Waitress is produced on Broadway by Barry & Fran Weissler and Norton & Elayne Herrick.

Waitress Tickets are available now for performances through January 5, 2020.

(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

 

Originally published on

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