After making her Broadway debut as composer for the hit musical "Waitress," singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles will make her Broadway debut as an actress, joining the show as its star.
Bareilles will step into the lead role of pregnant piemaker Jenna Hunterson for a limited 10-week run at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre beginning March 31. Her final performance is set for June 11.
The part was originated by Tony nominee Jessie Mueller, who will play her final performance on March 26.
"It’s something I’ve been quietly mulling over since the show began," Bareilles told the New York Times. "I’m making the big jump, and it feels like a completion of sorts, a coming full circle with this project. When I started working on it, I didn’t know how fully it would engulf me and my creative sensibilities. I’m obviously having a hard time saying goodbye."
Barellis -- who acted in musicals in high school -- had previously told AOL that stepping into the role would be "a dream," but that her "no. 1 priority right now is to work on [her] next record" and "remember how to be Sara."
She sang a different tune to the Times, telling the paper, "I wanted to explore my relationship with this show while I’m as close to it as I’ll ever be."
Barellis' last album of original material was 2013's "The Blessed Unrest," which was nominated for Grammy's album of the year. She also released a cover album of "Waitress" tunes in 2015 -- including the ballad "She Used to Be Mine," which was put out as the compilation's lead single.
Broadway
"Waitress" is an adaptation of Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 movie of the same name, which starred Keri Russell as Jenna. The show features a book by Jessie Nelson and direction from Tony-winner Diane Paulus (“Pippin”).
The production transferred to Broadway after a successful run at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Producers announced in January that the show had recouped its $12 million investment.
For tickets and information, visit www.waitressonstage.com.
