FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Melissa A. Hazek, [email protected] Anita Dloniak, [email protected] 216.398.1931

WAITRESS ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TOURING CAST!

August 9, 2017 - Full casting has been announced for the upcoming National Touring Production of , the new Broadway musical from Grammy nominee inspired by Adrienne Shelley's 2007 motion picture.

The WAITRESS cast will be led by Desi Oakley (Les Miserables, Evita) as Jenna, and Lenne Klingaman as Dawn with Bryan Fenkhart (Memphis) as Dr. Pomatter, Nick Bailey (“Red Oaks”) as Earl and Ryan G. Dunkin (“Bull”) as Cal. They will be joined by current Broadway cast members Charity Angél Dawson (Waitress, Side Show) as Becky, (Waitress, Smokey Joe’s Café) as Old Joe and Jeremy Morse (Waitress) as Ogie.

The ensemble includes Skyler Adams, Law Terrell Dunford, Patrick Dunn, James Hogan, David Hughey, Arica Jackson, Kyra Kennedy, Emily Koch, Maiesha McQueen, Gerianne Perez, Grace Stockdale.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Dangereuse Liasons, Waiting for Godot) and direction by Tony Award® winner (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland).

Inspired by 's beloved film, WAITRESS 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.

"It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune. "WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!" says and "a monumental contribution to Broadway!" according to Marie Claire. Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

National Tour of WAITRESS Premieres in , OH at the Connor Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square on October 17th, 2017. For more tour information, please visit http://waitressthemusical.com

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