30 ROCK — Season: 5 — Pictured: Jack McBrayer as Kenneth Parcell — Photo by: Art Streiber/NBC
Emmy-nominated 30 Rock star Jack McBrayer is the latest addition to the cast of the eagerly-anticipated UK debut of the hit Broadway show Waitress.
The American film and television actor, whose distinctive voice can be heard in hit animated films including Despicable Me and in the lead role of Fix-It Felix in Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, will make his West End stage debut as Ogie when Waitress arrives at London’s Adelphi Theatre in early 2019.
McBrayer will join the previously announced former American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee, who will also be making her West End debut in the show which is due to begin previewing on 8 February ahead of its official opening night on 7 March 2019.
They will be joined by fellow American, Marisha Wallace, who made her own West End debut last year in the Savoy Theatre’s hit Dreamgirls. Wallace will play Becky alongside Laura Baldwin (Eugenius!) as Dawn, Peter Hannah (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart) as Earl and David Hunter (Kinky Boots) as Dr. Pomatter.
About to enter its third year on Broadway, the musical tale of love friendship and perfect pies, based on the cult classic 2007 film of the same name, was expected to arrive on this side of the Atlantic last year, but the search for a suitable London theatre took longer than expected.
The production also recently announced plans for the first ever Cast Album Karaoke Nights following the performances on Tuesday 19 February and Monday 18 March 2019. The events will give theatregoers the chance to take to the stage accompanied by the show’s musical director Katherine Woolley to sing one minute from any song from the show.
Tickets for the London run of the musical which takes its inspiration from screenwriter and actress Adrienne Shelly’s much-loved independent film, are now on sale. Theatregoers who want their chance to take part in the two post-show ‘karaokes’ just need to sign up before the performance.
The first major West End musical to boast an all-female creative team, Waitress features a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. The production is directed by Tony Award-winning director Diana Paulus with choreography by Lorin Laterro.
Commenting earlier this year, on her hit show’s imminent arrival in London, Bareilles said: “I cannot contain my excitement that we will be bringing Waitress to the West End!! This is a dream come true! And I must say, to be hosted in a theatre co-owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Nederlander Group makes this very sweet moment even sweeter. We are so proud of this beautiful show, and can’t wait to share the story of Jenna with a whole new audience and welcome them into the world of Waitress with open arms and plenty of pie.”
Director Paulus added: “I am absolutely thrilled that Waitress is coming to the beautiful Adelphi Theatre! It is a dream come true to share this musical with London audiences.”
The Adelphi’s co-owner Lloyd Webber said: “I am a massive fan of Sara Bareilles both as a writer and a performer. I’m thrilled that she has earned an Emmy nomination for her performance as Mary Magdalene in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live earlier this year and absolutely delighted that Waitress is to be seen in the West End.”
On its Broadway opening in 2016, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.
A critical and commercial hit, the show’s success has added poignancy due to the tragic loss of the film’s creator who was murdered just before the movie premiered at the famous Sundance Film Festival. Promotional material for the show in the US pays tribute to Shelly and her legacy and refers to the charitable Adrienne Shelly Foundation set up in her memory by her husband.
Waitress began previews in August 2015 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it transferred to Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre in March 2016. The show is currently in the middle of a successful US tour and plans were recently announced for an Australian premiere production at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in 2020.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for Waitress are available HERE
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