Caitlin Houlahan to replace Jenna Ushkowitz in Waitress

Caitlin Houlahan will make her Broadway debut and assume the role of Dawn from "Glee" star Jenna Ushkowitz in the Broadway premiere of Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre from 20 October 2016. A return date for original cast member Kimiko Glenn is still yet to be announced.

Caitlin Houlahan recently played Carolyn in the National Tour of 'Bridges of Madison County.' Other stage credits include 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' 'Theory of Relativity,' and 'Carrie.' She is perhaps best known for her debut TV role as Jane in NBC's "Peter Pan Live!" and will also be seen in the upcoming final season of HBO's "Girls."

The principal cast of Waitress currently includes Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Jenna), Keala Settle (Becky), Jenna Ushkowitz (Dawn), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), Tony nominee Nick Cordero (Earl), Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Eric Anderson (Cal), and Dakin Matthews (Joe).

Waitress began previews at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 25 March 2016 and officially opened on 24 April 2016. The new musical is currently booking through to 11 June 2017.

Waitress features a book by Jessie Nelson and music & lyrics by five-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles and is directed by Tony 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 choreography by Lorin Latarro, 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.

- by Tom Millward