Stephanie Torns steps center stage in Waitress on Broadway

Understudy Stephanie Torns begins a limited engagement as Jenna in the hit Broadway musical tonight.

Cast member and understudy Stephanie Torns assumes the leading role of Jenna full-time in Broadway's hit musical Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre tonight. She begins a limited engagement through to April 8, 2018. She assumes the role from Waitress composer/lyricist - and Tony & six-time Grammy Award nominee - Sara Bareilles, who played her final performance on Sunday, March 11. As previously announced, "American Idol" and "Smash" star Katharine McPhee is set to make her Broadway debut as Jenna from April 10.

Ms. Torns has previously appeared in both the Broadway and National Tour productions of Wicked.

The principal cast of Waitress currently includes Stephanie Torns (as Jenna until April 8), Drew Gehling (as Dr. Pomatter), NaTasha Yvette Williams (as Becky), Caitlin Houlahan (as Dawn), Ben Thompson (as Earl), Lee Wilkof (as Joe), Benny Elledge (as Cal), and Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (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 behind ​Waitress 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 December 23, 2018.