Sara Bareilles makes her B'way debut in Waitress tonight

Six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, the writer of the hit Broadway musical Waitress, makes her Broadway debut in the lead role of Jenna in the production at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre tonight. She is set to play a limited engagement through to June 11, 2017. The show's original star Jessie Mueller played her final performance as Jenna on March 26.

Ms. Bareilles previously commented:

"Waitress has turned out to be one of the great, true loves of my life, and they simply can't get rid of me. I consider it an incredible honor to follow the masterful work of Jessie Mueller as she so gracefully brought the character of Jenna to life, and I am thrilled to continue to tell this story that has so much heart. This show changed my life in so many ways, and I feel great privilege in joining our beloved cast and crew who make me laugh and cry every time I watch the show. All I want is to keep sharing the love, and dear God please let me remember my lines."

As a recording artist, Bareilles has sold over one million albums and over nine million singles/downloads in the United States alone. Her six Grammy Award nominations include Song of the Year for "Love Song," Album of the Year for "The Blessed Unrest," and Best Musical Theater Album for Waitress (which also earned her a Tony nomination for Best Score in 2016).

Will Swenson earned a Tony nomination for 'Hair' in 2009. He was last seen on Broadway as Tony Delvecchio in the musical comedy 'Disaster!' His other Broadway credits include 'Les Misérables,' 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert,' '110 in the Shade,' 'Lestat,' and 'Brooklyn.' His off-Broadway credits include 'Murder Ballad' and 'Little Miss Sunshine.' among others. He is also the husband of six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald.

Chris Diamantopoulos previously appeared on the Great White Way as Marius in the original Broadway production of 'Les Misérables,' and as Ethan Girard in the Broadway premiere of 'The Full Monty.' His many TV and Film credits include "Silicon Valley," "Good Girls Revolt," "The Three Stooges," "24," "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Mork & Mindy," and he also voiced the iconic character of Mickey Mouse from 2013 to 2016, earning an Emmy nomination in 2014.

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 five-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

Waitress officially opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 24, 2016, following previews from March 25, and is currently booking through January 21, 2018.

The principal cast currently includes six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles (Jenna), Charity Angél Dawson (Becky), Caitlin Houlahan (Dawn), Emmy nominee Chris Diamantopoulos (Dr. Pomatter), Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Tony nominee Will Swenson (Earl), Dakin Matthews (Joe), and Joe Cassidy (Cal).

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.