Evanston native Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' 'Waitress'
NEW YORK - The Sara Bareilles' musical "Waitress" has found its server - Evanston native Jessie Mueller.
Mueller, who won the Tony Award for best leading actress in a musical last year, will star in the American Repertory Theater adaptation of the 2007 film starring Keri Russell.
It will be directed by Diane Paulus, the artistic director, who has also helmed the recent revival of "Pippin" and the new "Finding Neverland." Performances begin in August.
Mueller, who played Carole King in the musical "Beautiful" on Broadway, previously starred in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" with Harry Connick Jr. and replaced Kelli O'Hara in "Nice Work If You Can Get It."
"Waitress" tells the story of a waitress trapped in a small-town diner and a loveless marriage.