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The Filling Makes the Pie! Meet the Full Cast of WAITRESS, Opening Tonight on Broadway

By: Apr. 24, 2016
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Broadway's WAITRESS began performances on Friday, March 25 with a bang, setting a house record for a single performance the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and announcing a new block of tickets on sale through January 1, 2017. WAITRESS opens today, April 24, 2016. Get ready for tonight's opening bows by scrolling down to learn more about the company, plus watching highlights from the show!

Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with book by Jessie Nelson, score by five-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

WAITRESS stars Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller as Jenna, with Drama Desk nominee Eric Anderson (Cal), Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero (Earl), Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter),Kimiko Glenn (Dawn), Dakin Matthews (Joe), Tony Award nominee Keala Settle(Becky), and Charity Angél Dawson, Thay Floyd, Henry Gottfried, Molly Hager,Aisha Jackson, Max Kumangai, Jeremy Morse, Ragan Pharris, Stephanie Torns and Ryan Vasquez.

WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a Waitress and expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking CONTEST in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life while her fellow Waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This new American musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.


Jessie Mueller (Jenna) won the 2014 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and a 2015 Grammy Award for her performance as Carole King in Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. She made her Broadway debut opposite Harry Connick Jr. in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, for which she received Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations. She was also seen on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drama Desk nomination) andNice Work If You Can Get It. In her native Chicago, Mueller has won acclaim for starring roles in She Loves Me (Joseph Jefferson Award), Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Curtains and Carousel (Joseph Jefferson Award), among other musicals.

Eric Anderson (Cal) created the role of Cal in the A.R.T. production ofWaitress. Broadway: South Pacific (Stewpot), original casts of Kinky Boots(Mutt), Rocky (Gazzo/Tommy Crosetti), The Last Ship (Freddy Newlands),Soul Doctor (starring as Shlomo Carlebach; Drama Desk nomination for Best Actor). Recipient of the inaugural Joel Hirschhorn award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre by the L.A. Drama Critics Circle. TV: "The Good Wife," "Law & Order," "Alias," and "Live From Lincoln Center." Married to Jessica Rush, with a new daughter called Elliot.

Nick Cordero (Earl) was last seen on Broadway playing Cheech in Bullets Over Broadway, for which he received 2014 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations, and won both an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theater World Award. Prior to Bullets, Nick appeared on Broadway as "Dennis" in Rock Of Ages, after playing the role across the country in the 1st National Tour. Off-Broadway Nick recently appeared in Nice Girl at the Labyrinth Theater, Brooklynite at the Vineyard Theater and in 2009 he created the title role in The Toxic Avenger Musical (Outer Critics Circle Award - Best Off-Broadway Musical), a role he previously played regionally at George Street Playhouse. Other regional credits include Little Shop Of Horrors (KC Rep), Pirates Of Penzance (BRT), The Last 5 Years (Heritage Theater), Equus (Citadel Theater), Blood Brothers (Theater Aquarius), Fiddler On The Roof (Manitoba Theater Center). This February, Nick will appear as Sonny in the world premiere of Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale - The Musical at The Paper Mill Playhouse, music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks. TV/Film: "Queer As Folk" (Showtime), "Lilyhammer" (Netflix), "Law & Order: SVU" (NBC/Universal), A Stand Up Guy (2B Films), Going In Style (Warner Bros./New Line) Nick's music has appeared on TV shows such as "Degrassi: Next Generation" (Nickelodeon), "Flashpoint" (CBS) and "Heartland" (CBC).

Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie) Broadway: An Act of God, The Merchant of Venice, Finian's Rainbow (Drama Desk Award, Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations), Young Frankenstein (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), original cast of Wicked, Amour, (Drama Desk nomination), Chicago. Off-Broadway: The Winter's Tale (Public),Gutenberg! The Musical! (Actors' Playhouse), Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (Lincoln Center), Saturday Night (Second Stage, Drama Desk nomination), Wise Guys (New York Theatre Workshop),Corpus Christi (Manhattan Theatre Club), Fully Committed (Cherry Lane Theatre), The Cripple of Inishmaan (Public), Stairway to Paradise, Babes in Arms and Broadway Bash (City Center Encores!), the title role in Barnum at the Chichester Festival (UK), and 13 seasons with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. TV: "Almost There" (DirecTV), "The Good Wife" (CBS), "Elementary" (CBS), "Twins" (series regular, WB), "Next Caller" (NBC), "The Electric Company" (PBS). Film: Opposite Kristin Wiig and Annette Bening inGirl Most Likely, Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant, Personal Velocity, and Dedication. MFA American Conservatory Theater.

Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter) created the role of Dr. Pomatter in the A.R.T. production of Waitress. Broadway: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Jersey Boys. Off-Broadway: A Minister's Wife (Lexy), Lincoln Center; Billy & Ray (Sistrom), Vineyard Theatre; I Believe, Lincoln Center; Anne of Green Gables (Gilbert Blythe), Lortel. Regional: Johnny Baseball, A.R.T.; Moby Dick; Jersey Boys; Hello Dolly, Paper Mill; Utah Shakespeare. Workshops: American Psycho, The Searchers, Big Fish, Sunset Boulevard. TV/Film: "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight" (HBO), "30 Rock," "Smash," "The Daily Show," "Unsung Carolyn Leigh" (Live from Lincoln Center). Carnegie Mellon University.

Kimiko Glenn (Dawn) is best known for her work as Brook Soso in the award-winning Netflix series "Orange is The New Black," as well as her recurring role on FX's "Married". She also made a cameo on Comedy Central's "Broad City" as the evil hipster store clerk at Beacon's Closet. Theatre credits include the First National Tour of Spring Awakening as Thea and the title role in The Flaming Lips musical Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, which had its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. Kimiko will appear in the Lionsgate feature Nerve, releasing in 2016. She is represented by Don Buchwald & Associates.

Dakin Matthews (Joe) created the role of Joe in the A.R.T. production ofWaitress. Broadway: The Audience (Winston Churchill), Rocky (Mickey),The Best Man (Senator Carlin), A Man for All Seasons (Cardinal Wolsey), Henry IV (Warwick/Glendower, Bayfield and Drama Desk Award). Off-Broadway: Measure for Measure, All's Well That Ends Well,Public Theater; Where's Charley, Encores!; Freedomland, Playwrights Horizons. Regional: All The Way, A.R.T.; Prince of L.A., A Midsummer Night's Dream, Old Globe; Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya, A.C.T.;Shadowlands, Misalliance, South Coast Repertory. Film: Lincoln, True Grit, Zero Charisma. TV: "Gilmore Girls," "Desperate Housewives," "King of Queens."

Keala Settle (Becky) created the role of Becky in the A.R.T. production ofWaitress. Broadway: LES MISERABLES 2014 Revival (Madame Thénardier), Hands On A Hardbody (Norma Valverde; Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, TheaterWorld Award winner), Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Shirley). Off-Broadway: Violet, Encores! Off-Center. First National Tours: Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), South Pacific (Bloody Mary), Lincoln Center. Regional: Side Show, La Jolla Playhouse; Joseph..., Ogunquit Playhouse. Workshops: The Last Ship. TV/Film: "The Big C." Film: Ricki and the Flash.

Charity Angél Dawson (Ensemble) Broadway: Side Show (Fortune Teller). National Tours: The Color Purple (Darlene), Dreamgirls (Effie White). Regional: Waitress, A.R.T.; Kiss Me Kate (Hattie), Hartford Stage Company; Smokey Joe's Cafe (BJ), Heberger Theater Center;Beehive (Wanda), Arts Center of Coastal Carolina; Aida (Aida), Moscow Regional Theater; The Wiz (Evilene), Valley Youth Theater; West Side Story (Rosalia), Baltimore Lyric Opera House. Education: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Thay Floyd (Ensemble) Broadway: A Christmas Story (Bank Robber, Fireman), Lunt- Fontanne/Madison Sq. Garden. Regional: Damn Yankees(Joe Hardy), Ordway Theater; The Little Mermaid (Sebastian u/s), Co-Pro: Papermill/ PCLO/ KC Starlight/ TUTS/ Dallas Summer Musicals/ TOTS;Cats (Rum Tum Tugger), North Carolina Theatre; A Chorus Line (Richie), Ogunquit & Pioneer Theatre; Passing Strange (Rev. Jones/ Terry/ Christophe/ Hugo), The W.H.A.T. Theatre; Tommy (The Acid Queen) andFloyd Collins (Ed Bishop) at the Berkshire Theatre Festival; West Side Story(Toro), Sacramento Music Circus. BFA: NYU/Tisch. Thay thanks the Lord above; from whom all blessings flow, his family for their unwavering faith, Diana Prano at MTM, and the entire team here at Waitress.

Henry Gottfried (Ensemble) Broadway debut! Past credits include the First National Tour of Pippin and NBC's Peter Pan Live! B.A. from Yale. Thank you to Diane, Sara, and the rest of the creative team for adding me to the mix. Special thanks also to Pat Goodwin, the Innovative team, and Barbara. Love to my beautiful parents.

Molly Hager (Ensemble) Theatre: Heathers: The Musical (New World Stages), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Weston Playhouse), Fat Camp (Off-Broadway, regional & NYMF productions), Cloaked (CAP21), Factory Girls(NAMT). TV: "Happyish" on Showtime, "Young Hearts Unlimited", "Life Itself". Film: It's Kind of a Funny Story (Focus Features), Mad City (with John Travolta and Dustin Hoffman), Goodbye Lover (with Patricia Arquette). Recordings: "Broadway Here I Come" on The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree Album and the original cast recording of Heathers: The Musical (both on iTunes).

Aisha Jackson (Ensemble) is thrilled and extremely grateful to join the cast of Waitress! She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and moved to New York shortly after attaining a B.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. She moved to the city with no place to live, no job, and no money. What she did have was a dream and a passion to inspire others utilizing her God-given gifts and talents and now she's been given another opportunity to do just that! Past credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway), Invisible Thread (Second Stage Theatre), Hairspray and Memphis (Arvada Center), and Once On This Island (Olney Theatre Center). She gives thanks to God, her family, friends, and BBR for all of their love and support throughout her journey. For Vaughn and Amy. Luke 1:37.

Claire Keane (Lulu). Very excited for her Broadway debut! TV: "Good Wife," "Royal Pains." Commercials: Lowes. Love and thanks to mom, dad, Colin, Telsey + Company, and Shirley Grant Management.

McKenna Keane (Lulu). Also very excited for her Broadway debut! TV: "Good Wife," "Royal Pains." Commercials: Lowes. Even MORE love and thanks to mom, dad, Colin, Telsey + Company, and Shirley Grant Management.

Max Kumangai (Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Broadway debut in Waitress. He was last seen in Jessica Stone's all-male cast of ...Forum. Off-Broadway: What's that Smell?, The Civil War, and Lysistrata Jones. 1st National Tours: Joseph..., Hair. Papermill: Honeymoon in Vegas. West Coast Premiere: The Scottsboro Boys. Encores!: ...Superman!, Bells are Ringing, Anyone Can Whistle, and Where's Charley? TV: "Boardwalk Empire," "Vinyl." Big thank you to Patrick Goodwin and the amazing creatives for this opportunity. Nicolosi! Love to BT and my family in Spokane, WA. Go Blue!

Jeremy Morse (Ensemble) Off- Broadway: Bloodsong of Love (Lo Cocodrilo, Drama Desk nomination), Ars Nova; The Underclassman (Ham Samuels), Prospect @ The Duke. Regional: Waitress (A.R.T.) How To Succeed... (Finch), Walnut Street; Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby), Goodspeed;Oliver! (Noah Claypole), Paper Mill; The Trouble With Doug (Doug), Theatreworks Palo Alto; Into The Woods (Jack), North Carolina Theatre. Workshops: Eighty-Sixed, Second Stage; Hunter S. Thompson Musical, La Jolla. Concerts: Joe Iconis, Muse Match, 54 Below; Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat (Nikola Tesla), Musical Theatre Factory. NYU Steinhardt.

Ragan Pharris (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut inWaitress! Ragan just graduated from the 2015 Musical Theatre Program at Pace University and spent this last summer with the company of Waitress at the American Repertory Theater in Boston. While studying at Pace, she appeared as Margret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, directed by Victoria Clark. She is unbelievably grateful to continue working on this beautiful production. Thank you and much love to the entire team and company.

Stephanie Torns (Ensemble) Broadway: Wicked (Elphaba standby). Regional/National Tours: Waitress (A.R.T.), Wicked, 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly), LES MISERABLES (Eponine). Many thanks to Diane, Sara, Patrick Goodwin, and the rest of the creative team for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful show. Much love to my family and Barbara for their endless support. This one's for you Pa!

Ryan Vasquez (Ensemble) is overjoyed to be in the original Broadway cast of such an exciting new show! Since moving to New York last year, Ryan has performed with a wide array of artists, including the Backstreet Boys, the Eagles, the Rockettes and others. Broadway: Wicked (Fiyero u/s). New York workshops: 17 Again (dir. Adam Shankman), Warner Brothers MGM Project (dir. Warren Carlyle), Darling (dir. Bobby Longbottom), Mozart, the Backstreet Boys Project, the Radio City Spring Spectacular and more. Last holiday season, Ryan and Actors' Equity President Kate Shindle appeared as the guest stars for the Pittsburgh Holiday Pops Concert series under the direction of Todd Ellison. Regional: Muny (LES MISERABLES) MTWichita (West Side Story, South Pacific), Farmers Alley Theatre (Next to Normal). Proud Michigan graduate.




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