Jenna Ushkowitz to join cast of Waitress on Broadway

"Glee" star Jenna Ushkowitz will return to Broadway and assume the role of Dawn in the Broadway premiere of Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre from 29 July 2016. Current cast member Kimiko Glenn will play her last performance on 28 July and then take a leave of absence from the show.

Best known for her TV role as Tina Cohen-Chang on Fox's "Glee," Jenna Ushkowitz previously appeared on Broadway in 'The King and I' and 'Spring Awakening.' She also appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of 'Hair' and Pittsburgh CLO production of 'The Wedding Singer.'

The principal cast of Waitress currently includes Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Jenna), Keala Settle (Becky), Kimiko Glenn (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