Casting News: “Waitress” Announces National Touring Cast

Bailey McCall, Kennedy Salters, Gabriella Marzetta

The diner is “Opening Up” with a full cast for the upcoming National Touring Production of Waitress, the hilarious hit Broadway Musical from Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles (composer of “Love Song” and “Brave”), inspired by Adrienne Shelley’s 2007 motion picture.  

The Waitress cast will be led by Bailey McCall (Jenna), Kennedy Salters (Becky) and Gabriella Marzetta (Dawn) with  David Socolar (Dr. Pomatter), Brian Lundy (Ogie), Clayton Howe (Earl), Jake Mills (Cal), and  Michael R. Douglass (Joe). The ensemble includes Julia Bain, Ryan Ballard, Meagan Chieppor, Jerica Exum, Stephanie Feeback, M. Justise Hayward, Kelly Krauter, Olivia London, Trey McCoy, Shawn W. Smith and Ryan Washington. 

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Waitress opened April 24, 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street). Based upon the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by seven-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (composer of “Love Song” and “Brave”), choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus. The Waitress Tour features Choreography Re-created by Abbey O’Brien, Tour Direction re-created by Susanna Wolk, and includes Scott Pask, Scenic Design; Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Costume Design; Ken Billington, Lighting Design; Jonathan Deans, Sound Design; Wigs by Richard Mawbey; original music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo, with tour music supervision by Ryan Cantwell. Arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo and Sara Bareilles, and Orchestrations by Sara Bareilles and The Waitress Band. Waitress is produced by NETworks Presentations LLC. Casting by Stewart/Whitley.

The National tour of Waitress previews in Boise, ID at the Morrison Center before premiering in Vancouver, BC at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on November 12, 2019. See the full tour route by clicking here.

Cast Biographies

BAILEY McCALL (Jenna) National Tour: Cabaret (Sally Bowles). Off-Broadway: The Big Bang Theory: Musical Parody (Penny). Regional: Grease (Sandy), Million Dollar Quartet (Dyanne), The Robber Bridegroom (Rosamund). BA, The University of Tennessee; CAP21 grad. Endless love and gratitude to God, Mom & Dad, Whit, Lauren, and the rest of my tribe. Special thanks to Stewart/Whitley, Sara B., and the entire Waitress team for turning this dream into a reality. For any woman who has ever been made to feel less than you are; you matter. @imbaileymccall http://www.baileymccall.com

KENNEDY SALTERS (Becky) Atlanta based actress, is a product of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance.  Recently you could’ve seen her in Cortland Repertory’s Legally Blonde (Paulette) and Mamma Mia! (Rosie). Salters’ elated to climb aboard and make her National Tour Debut in Waitress!

GABRIELLA MARZETTA (Dawn). Off Broadway: Contact High (Jean Simon, Ars Nova), Frankenstein (Elizabeth Lavenza), Pinkalicious (Pinkalicious). Regional: Hair (Jeanie, Pentangle Arts). Endless thanks to Duncan Stewart, Stewart/Whitley & the Waitress team. CAP21/Chicago Academy for the Arts grad! Love to Mom, Dad, Gramma and Jack! Dreamers: I see you, don’t give up. gabriellamarzetta.com.

DAVID SOCOLAR (Dr. Pomatter) Regional: The Full Monty (Capital Rep.), Anne of Green Gables: A New Folk Rock Musical (Finger Lakes MTF), Amazing Grace (D.C.). Many thanks to the All-Star gang over at BLOC, and of course to Mom and Dad for all the belief! @davidsocolar

BRIAN LUNDY (Ogie) National Tour debut! Regional credits: Merrily We Roll Along (Charley), The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), 42nd Street (Bert), I Hate Hamlet (Gary), A Chorus Line (Frank/Bobby u/s). Marymount Manhattan College, 2018. Love to Mom, Dad, and Katt. @brianplundy brian-lundy.com

CLAYTON HOWE (Earl) is grateful to be a part of the Waitress Tour! Regional: Kinky Boots (Don, Hangar Theatre), Aida (Zoser, Axelrod PAC), Cabaret (Max, Gateway Playhouse), From Here to Eternity (Ensemble, Ogunquit Playhouse). Disney Cruise Line. BFA SUNY Fredonia. Clay would like to thank his family for their love and support. Listen to Clay’s Podcast: Entertainment(x) where he gets to the soul and drive of top performers in the entertainment industry on iTunes! IG: @inclaynation Matthew 7:7-8.

JAKE MILLS (Cal) I’ve done some shows on the road and around the country. I’m proud of all of them. But, like, do you really want to read all that? Instead, here’s a few things that matter. I’m a proud graduate of CNU. I’m grateful to the NETworks & Waitress teams for this adventure. And, I couldn’t do this life without the support of Mom, Dad, Tess, Matt, Ross, & T. This is for them. All my shenanigans can be followed on Insta @mrjakemills. Stay Crispy.

MICHAEL R. DOUGLASS (Joe) has produced, directed, choreographed, written and/or acted in well over 150 theater and video/film productions. NY Theater: Love’s Labours Lost (NYSF), many others. Tour/Regional: Anything Goes (NETworks), many others. TV/Film: True Crime (ID), Running with Sharks, etc. Love to Ashley, Sabrina, Abby, and Lynne.

JULIA BAIN (Swing, u/s Jenna, u/s Dawn). National Tour Debut! Recent regional credits include: All Shook Up, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Godspell (New London Barn Playhouse), Into the Woods (Patchogue Theatre). BFA, Ithaca College. Endless thanks: family, friends, dogs, Stewart/Whitley, and the Waitress team. @juliabain11

RYAN BALLARD (Ensemble, u/s Dr. Pomatter, u/s Earl) is elated to be making his tour debut with Waitress!  Regional: Bucks County Playhouse, 5th Floor Theatre, Red Mountain, Peregrine Theatre. Proud Ithaca College grad! Other training: The Performing Arts Project, One Year Lease. For real dough, love to Jack, Mom, Dad and Maddie. Thank you teachers, friends and iced coffee. IG: @ryanevanballard

MEAGAN CHIEPPOR (Swing, u/s Dawn, Assistant Dance Captain). National Tour Debut!  Regional Favorites: Significant Other (Kiki), All My Sons (Ann), Rock of Ages, Rocky Horror for Theatre Raleigh (thank you!), Les Misérables for North Carolina Theatre.  Thanks to her Village, Moonlight Stage Company, the 919 + 717, and Abbey O’Brien. More fun at @ItsJustChieppor <3

JERICA EXUM (Ensemble, Nurse Norma, u/s Becky) National Tour Debut! Regional: Newsies (Paramount Theatre), Godspell (Ivoryton Playhouse), Women of Soul (Black Ensemble Theater), Sister Act (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse). International: Festival of the Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland), Vegas! The Show, Paradis (Norwegian Cruise Line). IG @jchenise

STEPHANIE FEEBACK (Ensemble, u/s Dawn). National tour debut! Regional: North American Premiere of From Here to Eternity at Ogunquit Playhouse, Music City at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Mamma Mia! at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Proud Oklahoma City University grad! Thanks to the entire Waitress team, Hudson Artists Agency, and Mom & Dad. @stephaniefeebs

M. JUSTISE HAYWARD (Swing, u/s Ogie, Dance Captain). Originally from Miami, FL is proud to be joining the touring cast of Waitress. He began training at New World School of the Arts and received a BFA from Syracuse University. While living in New York City he worked as the assistant choreographer to Lorin Lotarro for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night. Lorin Lotarro is the original choreographer of the Broadway production of Waitress.

KELLY KRAUTER (Ensemble, u/s Jenna) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut with Waitress. Off-Bway: Pop Punk High (LPR), Single Rider (Players Theatre). Regional: Disney Cruise Line, Chicago Shakes, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Timber Lake Playhouse. BFA Musical Theatre from CCPA. Thanks to the Krauter clan, Ben, and the Jags. @kellykrauter

OLIVIA LONDON (Ensemble, u/s Becky) is thrilled to join the touring company of Waitress. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Olivia is graduate from UCLA’s Ray Bolger’s MT program (c/o 2017). She recently finished a run of The Cake (Macy) at Cape Fear Regional Theater. Thanks family, friends, and TPG for the endless support! olivialondonactor.com Instagram: @loveelivvy

TREY McCOY (Ensemble, u/s Ogie, u/s Cal)  is thrilled to be working at the diner! National Tour: Motown the Musical. Regional: The Scottsboro Boys, Bubbly Black Girl. Thanks to God, Boals Winnett Associates, Stewart/Whitley, and family and friends who love me unconditionally. Montclair State BFA. 1 Corinthians 15:58. @trey_mccoy

SHAWN W. SMITH (Swing) is ecstatic to be joining the pie shop. Hear his original album “That’s What You Get for Doing the Wrong Thing” now on iTunes and Spotify. See more at shawnwsmith.com @shawnwsmith 1 Peter 4:8

RYAN WASHINGTON (Ensemble, u/s Cal, u/s Joe) is ecstatic to be joining the Waitress Tour!. He has worked with Shakespeare in the Park’s productions of Twelfth Night and As You Like It. He is grateful to Christ, family and friends for this journey.