Joanna Ampil To Lead WAITRESS in the Philippines

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment announced at a press conference this morning that acclaimed international musical theater star Joanna Ampil will play Jenna in the hit Broadway musical WAITRESS, when it opens in Manila this November.

Ampil's other theatre credits include Cats (International Tour 2006-2018), The Bridges of Madison County (RCBC Manila), Rebel Edsa 30 (Aliw Theatre, Manila), South Pacific in Concert (Resorts World Manila, NPAT), Cats (UK and European tour 2013-14), The Sound of Music (Resorts World Manila NPAT), The Real Love (Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles), Pinocchio: A New Musical (DBS-SRT, Singapore), Avenue Q (Noel Coward and Gielgud Theatres, London), West Side Story (Meralco Theatre, Manila), Rent (European Tour), I Sing! (Union Theatre, London), Musical of Musicals (Sound Theatre, London), Hair (The Gate Theatre, London), Les Miserables (Palace and Queen's Theatres, London), Jesus Christ Superstar ('96 revival, Lyceum Theatre, London), and most notably Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, original Sydney production, First UK and Southern Ireland Tour).

WAITRESS will be directed by Atlantis Theatrical's founding artistic director Bobby Garcia who directed Joanna in The Bridges of Madison County. Garcia says, "I always wanted Joanna to play Jenna, but I wasn't sure that we would be able to get her as she is still touring the world in Cats. But once again, the universe conspired to give us what we wanted and we were able to workout getting her to Manila in time for rehearsals. Joanna is one of the finest musical theatre performers we have in the country. And it is always a joy to come into rehearsals and work with her on creating a character and telling a story. I suspect she will be, once again, be unforgettable.""

Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

With music and lyrics by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, and based on the 2007 movie of the same name, WAITRESS tells the story of an expert baker named Jenna who is disillusioned with her life and reckons with herself through the simple magic of baking. Accompanied by her friends Dawn (Maronne Cruz) and Becky (Bituin Escalante), Jenna finds the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

Catch Joanna as Jenna in WAITRESS, which opens on November 9 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Buy tickets from TicketWorld.com.ph.