Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is to make her Broadway debut in the musical “Waitress” on March 31. While this talented tunesmith will have to learn her lines, she already knows all the words to the songs as she wrote them. Fans of this songbird can catch her in the role of the title character, a woman who works as a server in a diner but hopes to serves up a winning pie in a contest until June 11.
Above: Watch Bareilles perform with the role’s originator, Tony champ Jessie Mueller (“Beautiful”), on the Tony Awards in June. They are introduced by Keri Russell, who headlined the late Adrienne Shelly‘s 2007 film which inspired the show.
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In making the announcement, Bareilles said, “‘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.”
Bareilles, whose smash debut disc “Little Voice” reached #1 in 22 countries, earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Score. She was bested by Lin-Manuel Miranda who crafted the songs for the blockbuster “Hamilton.” Bareilles and company also contended for Best Musical Theater Album at the recent Grammys but were edged out by “The Color Purple.”
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