Ben Thompson assumes the role of Earl in Waitress on Broadway

Broadway alum Ben Thompson joins six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles in the Broadway production of Waitress.

The Broadway company of hit musical Waitress welcomes Broadway alum Ben Thompson to the cast tonight, as he assumes the role of Earl opposite Waitress composer/lyricist - and Tony & six-time Grammy Award nominee - Sara Bareilles at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Mr. Thompson has previously appeared on the Great White Way in Matilda The Musical, Holler if Ya Hear Me, and Green Day's American Idiot, in off-Broadway productions of Carrie and Rent, and in the National Tour of High School Musical.

The principal cast of Waitress currently includes Sara Bareilles (as Jenna until March 11), 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).

As previously reported, "American Idol" and "Smash" star Katharine McPhee is set to make her Broadway debut and assume the leading role of Jenna from April 10.

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.