There is some exciting news for fans of the musical Waitress, particularly those who enjoyed Katharine McPhee in the role. McPhee, who played the character of Jenna on Broadway and then originated the role on the London production, has recorded the show’s hit ballad “She Used to Be Mine.” The number will be released as a single in the run-up to her final performance in London on Saturday, June 15, 2019. The song, written by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, has enjoyed several covers over the last few years. The new track is now available for download and on streaming platforms here.
“Waitress tells the story of 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 run-in 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.”
The current cast of the Broadway production features Shoshana Bean, Charity Angel Dawson, Caitlin Houlahan, Erich Bergen, Ben Thompson, Larry Marshall, Benny Elledge, Noah Galvin, Melody A. Betts, Tyrone Davis Jr., Andrew Fitch, Molly Hager, Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Arica Jackson, Molly Jobe, Brandon Kalm, Matt Kumangai, Tess Murphy, Everleigh Rotunno, Stephanie Torns and Dan Tracy.
Waitress, which plays at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre, is directed by Diane Paulus (Porgy & Bess, Pippin), with choreography by Lorin Latarro. Adapted from the 2007 Adrienne Shelly screenplay for the film of the same name, Waitress has a book by Jessie Nelson and a score by Sara Bareilles. The Broadway production opened on April 24, 2016. The musical is concurrently playing in London’s West End.
Mark Robinson is the author of the two-volume encyclopedia The World of Musicals, The Disney Song Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs. He maintains a theater and entertainment blog at markrobinsonwrites.com.