News: Chelsea Halfpenny to star in Waitress UK and Ireland tour

Chelsea Halfpenny is to star as Jenna in the UK and Ireland tour of musical comedy Waitress, taking over from Lucie Jones. She is to begin performances from 10 January 2022.

Chelsea (9 to 5 the Musical) joins cast members Sandra Marvin as Becky, Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn, Busted’s Matt Willis as Dr Pomatter, George Crawford as Ogie, Michael Starke as Joe, Tamlyn Henderson as Earl and Christopher D. Hunt as Cal.

The company also includes Monique Ashe-Palmer, Amelia Atherton, Donal Brennan, Aimée Fisher, Scarlet Gabriel, Nathanael Landskroner, Charlie Martin, Liam McHugh, Olivia Mitchell, Ben Morris and Brian Roland.

Waitress is based on the 2007 film of the same name by Adrienne Shelly. Music and lyrics are by Sara Bareilles, with a book by Jessie Nelson, direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus and choreography by Lorin Latarro.

The show tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This beautiful musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Photo credit: Matt Crockett.

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