Nicolette Robinson & Al Roker extend limited engagements in Waitress

Ms. Robinson and Mr. Roker will remain with the smash hit Broadway musical through to November 18, 2018.

Great news from the diner! NBC's TODAY Show star Al Roker and Nicolette Robinson have now both extended their Broadway debut engagements in the hit musical Waitress through to November 18, 2018 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Ms. Robinson was originally scheduled to play the leading role of Jenna through to October 28, whilst Mr. Roker's final performance as Joe was previously set for November 11.

Mr. Roker is best known as the weather and feature anchor on NBC News' TODAY Show. He is the recipient of 7 Daytime Emmy Awards and since 1985, he has worked as a co-host of various NBC specials, as well as the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rose Bowl Parade.

He commented: "The cast and crew at the Brooks Atkinson are obviously gluttons for punishment or have a sadistic streak, so they asked me to stick around for another week."

Ms. Robinson has previously appeared off-Broadway in the Second Stage Theater production of Invisible Thread and the Vineyard Theatre production of Brooklynite in 2015. She is also known for her role as Jane on Showtime's "The Affair".

In reference to Ms. Robinson's performance, the show's composer/lyricist, Sara Bareilles, commented: "The poise, grace, humor, fire, quiet generosity, and insane vocals THAT GOT APPLAUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF SONGS... Nicolette is the real deal. Don't miss this jewel who is telling this story with such truth and grit. We are so lucky. May YOU all be so lucky".

The current principal cast of Waitress includes Nicolette Robinson (as Jenna), Drew Gehling (as Dr. Pomatter), NaTasha Yvette Williams (as Becky), Lenne Klingaman (as Dawn), Ben Thompson (as Earl), Al Roker (as Joe), Benny Elledge (as Cal), and Alex Wyse (as Ogie).

Waitress officially opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 24 April 2016, following previews from 25 March.

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.

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 to March 31, 2019.

^{(Photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown)}