Fresh from Tribeca, we're bringing you two extraordinary conversations celebrating the power of music, storytelling, and live performance. Adrienne sits down with Grammy, Tony, and Emmy nominee Sara Bareilles to discuss her latest work, creative inspiration, and the projects that continue to connect with audiences around the world.
Jennifer Nettles Will Join WAITRESS on Broadway as Jenna
Sara Bareilles will continue as 'Jenna' through October 17.
By: Nicole Rosky
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The Ethel Barrymore Theatre will soon be opening up with a new leading lady. BroadwayWorld has learned that Jennifer Nettles will take over in the role of 'Jenna' in Waitress on Broadway starting October 19. Sara Bareilles will play her final performance on October 17. Nettles will begin performances on October 19, and play the role through November 24.
Maiesha McQueen (Waitress 1st National Tour) and Ashley Blanchet (Frozen) are set to join the cast on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 as Becky and Dawn respectively. Charity Angél Dawson and Caitlin Houlahan will play their final performance on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
Waitress is scheduled to conclude its limited Broadway run on January 9, 2022.
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 a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Grammy Winner and Tony and Emmy Award-nominated Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.
Jennifer Nettles is a superstar entertainer on multiple platforms who just expanded her musical versatility with a genre-defying album of American Songbook classics, Always Like New. She can soon be seen reprising her role as a judge on TBS' mega-hit competition series "Go-Big Show." Jennifer plays Aimee-Leigh Gemstone on HBO's hit series "The Righteous Gemstones" and recently delivered a powerful and provocative performance in Focus Features' Harriet Tubman biopic. In 2019, she released an EP titled I Can Do Hard Things. Previously, she released two solo albums, Playing with Fire and To Celebrate Christmas as well as a Sugarland album, Bigger. Jennifer's song "Stay" was a platinum No. 1 hit which earned her two Grammy Awards: one for "Best Country Song" and "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group" with Sugarland. She won another Grammy for her collaboration with Bon Jovi on "Who Says You Can't Go Home." Other recognitions include five ASCAP Awards, three ACM Awards, a CMA Award, the Human Rights Campaign's Ally for Equality Award and the Artist Impact Award from Lincoln Center. Jennifer made her Broadway debut in 2015 as "Roxy Hart" in the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking musical Chicago and starred as "Donna" in the Hollywood Bowl's summer production of Mamma Mia!. She is currently developing a musical about 17th Century Crusading Poisoner Giulia Tofana.
Maeisha McQueen is making her Broadway debut with Waitress after appearing in the First National Tour and was last seen in the one-person play, Until the Flood. Select Off-Broadway and regional credits include PEACHES, The Color Purple (Sophia) and His Eye is on the Sparrow (Ethel Waters). Maiesha's film credits include DayBlack and Down to Earth.
Ashley Blanchet has appeared on Broadway in Frozen, Beautiful, Annie and Memphis. Ashley's upcoming films include Better Nate Than Ever on Disney+ and Are You Okay? (WonderMedia). Select Regional credits include Cinderella (Title Role, Paper Mill Playhouse) and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie, PCLO).
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Podcasts
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She’s the Grammy-winning music powerhouse that’s been the soundtrack to our lives for more than two decades and produced some of the most moving music offerings of all-time – few greater than her Tony-recognised musical Waitress, which took New York by storm when it first began performances back in 2016.
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Episode 5: Shoshana Bean. This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz is sitting down with Shoshana Bean—Grammy winner, Broadway icon, and certified vocal powerhouse behind her new album Only Smoke. No chill. No filter. Just truth.
Ep420 - Kimiko Glenn: Hang Out Forever and the Art of Being Unapologetically You
Kimiko Glenn brings a mix of honesty, humor, and delightful chaos to this conversation, opening up about the vulnerable journey behind her new single Hang Out Forever and why the music video takes such a hilariously dark turn.
Episode 2: Caitlin Houlahan. This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz is chatting with Caitlin Houlahan—Broadway fave and the unforgettable Dawn from Sara Bareilles’s Waitress. From the stage to New Dawn Rising, Caitlin’s journey is equal parts heart, hustle, and straight-up magic.
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