WAITRESS Finds Two Young Actresses to Fill Role of Lulu

The Tony-nominated musical Waitress, which opens at The Smith Center on Oct. 9th and runs through Oct. 14th, has cast two young area actresses to take on the role of "Lulu" during the Las Vegas engagement.

Adelaide, 5, and Melina, 5, of Las Vegas, will alternate the role of "Lulu," the daughter of the production's main character, "Jenna."

WAITRESS tells the story of "Jenna", an expert pie baker working at a local diner and stuck in a loveless marriage. Her salvation comes in the form of her daughter, "Lulu."

Both girls were chosen via an audition process held at The Smith Center on Sept. 4. More than 40 girls participated in the auditions, which were presided over by members of the Waitress company. The character of "Lulu" is cast locally in each tour market and two girls are chosen to share the role. Each five-year-old girl chosen will perform in 4 performances each during the engagement.

This will be Adelaide's first professional production, but she isn't a stranger to show business. She has studied dance, acting and singing from industry professionals for two years at Las Vegas' Gotta Dance, a local studio which provides professional instruction for kids and adults. Adelaide's parents are also entertainers, with her father being the drummer for Las Vegas' Human Nature and her mother performed in the Australian production of The Wiggles.

"Adelaide is so lucky to have this," shared Sharryn Babcock, Adelaide's mother. "It will help her in anything she wants to do in life. She will soak up everything while she's on stage. She won't want to come off!"

Melina has been dancing at the Rock Center for Dance studio taking a range of classes, including hip hop, jazz and ballet. She's also a gymnast, and for good reason - both, her parents and brother, are in Las Vegas-based Cirque du Soleil productions. Melinda recently shot a commercial for PediPed Footwear, and enjoys painting, biking and shopping with her mom in her free time.

"We see this as just the beginning of a lifelong journey in the performing arts for Melina," said Melina's mother, Magalie Blitz. "Though we are not surprised, it is happening unexpectedly early in her life. We are very proud and excited to be able to share this experience with her."

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, Waitress is an irresistible new hit featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson ("I Am Sam") and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Finding Neverland, Pippin, Hair).

Inspired by Adrienne Shelley's beloved film, the musical tells the story of Jenna - a Waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow Waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

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