US Regional Premieres
After posting early closure in its Broadway restaging, due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Waitress the Musical announced its regional premieres with a limited run of two exclusive residencies in the USA.
These took place at the same time as the non-Equity 2019-2022 tour was completing, but featured actors who are part of the Actors’ Equity Association. These are also replica productions of the Broadway show, with Abbey O’Brien restaging the show based on the original direction by Diane Paulus.
Stephanie Torns, who has been in the ART, Broadway and Broadway re-staging productions of the shows took the lead in the residencies.
A further regional premiere was announced for the Oguinquit Playhouse, Maine from 9 May 2024 to 8 June 2024, starring Desi Oakley, who starred as Jenna on the First National Tour as well as guest appearing in the West End to cover cast illness.
2022
- Booth Playhouse, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Charlotte, New Carolina – 19 April – 22 May 2022
Lulu – Heidi Gemayel Cross, Bethany Emmons - Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Ohio – 26 May – 26 June 2022
Lulu – Chloe Drom, Eloise Higgins
- Jenna – Stephanie Torns
- Dr. Pomatter – Bryan Fenkart
- Becky – Olivia Lucy Philip
- Dawn – Kendyl Ito
- Cal – Timothy John Smith
- Ogie – Daniel Quadrino
- Earl – Matt DeAngelis
- Joe – Larry Marshall
- Nurse Norma – Jerica Exum
- Ensemble – Lianah Sta. Ana, Ethan Carlson, Max Kumangai, Bailey McCall, Gerianne Pérez, Brad Standley, Curtis Thomas
- Swings – Julia Bain, Galyana Castillo, Andrew Fitch (Dance Captain), Chris Stevens
2024
- Ogunquit Playhouse, Maine – 9 May – 8 June 2024
- Jenna – Desi Oakley
- Dr. Pomatter – Ben Jacoby
- Becky – Maiesha McQueen
- Dawn – Gizel Jiminez
- Cal – Jimmy Ray Bennett
- Ogie – Kennedy Kanagawa
- Earl – Matt DeAngelis
- Joe – Cleavant Derricks
- Ensemble – Matthew Curiano, Daniela Durbin, Sam Hartley, Renee Jackson, Jake Urban, Chelsea Williams, Evelyn Woodman, Thabitha Moruthane, Andrew Burton Kelley, Gabriella Marzetta, Julia Rippon