Waitress Serves Up Heart, Friendship, and Pie at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre

Seattle audiences, get ready to indulge in a slice of Broadway magic as Waitress takes center stage at The 5th Avenue Theatre from March 11-30, 2025. This heartwarming musical, featuring music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles, brings a story of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery—baked to perfection.

Based on Adrienne Shelly’s beloved 2007 film, Waitress follows Jenna, a gifted pie baker trapped in a small-town diner and an unhappy marriage. With the support of her spirited coworkers and an unexpected romance, she embarks on a journey to reclaim her happiness and rewrite her story. Overflowing with humor, heart, and mouthwatering melodies, Waitress reminds us that the perfect recipe for life includes a dash of risk, a spoonful of courage, and a whole lot of love.

“Waitress is a show that speaks to the power of the things we need most in life right now—hope, family, purpose, and community,” says Bill Berry, Executive Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre. “It’s a story about chasing dreams, embracing change, and finding joy in the unexpected. We are thrilled to welcome audiences to The 5th to experience this beautiful and deeply moving production.”

Leading the show as Jenna is Kerstin Anderson, a familiar face to The 5th Avenue audiences from Afterwords in 2022. Anderson has also charmed national audiences as Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and as the alternate Eliza Doolittle in Broadway’s My Fair Lady. She is joined by an exceptional cast, including Tori Gresham (Mary Poppins) as Dawn, Porscha Shaw (Something’s Afoot) as Becky, Adam Standley (Something’s Afoot) as Dr. Jim Pomatter, and Kennedy Kanagawa (Into the Woods on Broadway) as Ogie. Also included in the cast is Nalica Hennings (The Little Mermaid), Yusef Seevers (Something’s Afoot), Nik Hagen (Mary Poppins), Taylor Niemeyer-Symons (The Little Mermaid), Cherisse Martinelli (Legally Blonde at Village Theatre), Richard Peacock (White Christmas), Alyza DelPan-Monley (Mary Poppins), and Jason Weitkamp (Something’s Afoot). External understudies include Matthew Kacergis (The Little Mermaid), Carly Corey (Mary Poppins), Trina Mills (White Christmas), Rob Burgess (The Little Mermaid), Kristin Burch (White Christmas), and Nick McCarthy (Mary Poppins).

The creative team is led by director and choreographer Lisa Shriver, whose work spans Broadway and regional theater, including productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The 5th’s own Rock of Ages and Austen’s Pride. With an artistic team featuring associate director Hattie Claire Andres (Into the Woods Rising Star Project), associate choreographer Katy Tabb (Spring Awakening), music director Matthew Antonio Perri (White Christmas), associate music director Beth G. Tankersley (Mary Poppins), set designer Julia Hayes Welch (The Last Five Years), associate set designer Brandon David Riel, lighting designer Robert J. Aguilar (Something’s Afoot), associate lighting designer Casey Price (The Last Five Years), sound designer Haley Parcher (Spamalot on Broadway), associate sound designers Kurt Conway (The Last Five Years) and Liam Steckler (Spring Awakening), costume designer Danielle Nieves (Sweeney Todd), costume design assistants Jason Kramer and Ty Pyne (The Last Five Years), hair & make-up designer Jason Goldsberry, dialect coach Alyssa Keene, and intimacy & fight director Francesca Betancourt. The stage management team is led by production stage manager JR Welden (Mary Poppins), assistant stage managers Erin B. Zatloka (Mary Poppins), and Melissa Y. Hamasaki (Memphis), swing stage manager Jamie Kranz (Spring Awakening), production assistants Larcyn Burnett and Bayla Jaffe, and child actor guardian Amy Jurkiewicz.

Beyond its dazzling performances, Waitress offers unique opportunities for audience engagement. Press Night kicks off on March 14, followed by special events such as Pride Night on March 29 and Global Majority Night on March 19. For those looking to deepen their theater experience, Show Talks and Dramaturgy Fundamentals provide behind-the-scenes insights, while accessibility-friendly performances—including ASL, open caption, and audio-described showings—ensure that everyone can enjoy the magic of Waitress.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this heartwarming Broadway hit at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.5thavenue.org, over the phone, or at the box office.

Content Advisory: Waitress contains strong language, sexual situations, and themes including reproductive health, abusive relationships, alcoholism, and domestic violence. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Sensory Guides are available after the first performance.

Follow The 5th Avenue Theatre for latest updates:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok

Get ready for a night of laughter, tears, and unforgettable music as Waitress serves up an irresistible mix of charm, wit, and heart in Seattle’s beloved 5th Avenue Theatre!