Cast & Creative

CIARA RENÉE

Jenna

Ciara Renée recently wrapped the independent feature Paint opposite Owen Wilson and the independent dramedy Deborah. Ciara most recently starred as the first BIPOC actress to play Elsa in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway before the shutdown last year. Previously, Ciara starred in the Off-Broadway play The Wrong Man alongside Joshua Henry and Ryan Vazquez. Ciara can be seen on “The Big Bang Theory” final season and in a recurring role on Facebook’s original series “Strangers.” She has appeared on Netflix’s “Master of None” and was previously a series regular on CW’s “Legends of Tomorrow.” Ciara originated the role of The Witch in Big Fish and appeared in Pippin on Broadway and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (La Jolla and Paper Mill Playhouse).

Maiesha McQueen

Becky

Broadway debut! Maiesha was last seen in the one-person play Until the Flood. Tours: Waitress (1st National, Norma/Becky). Selected Off-Broadway/Regional: Peaches, The Color Purple (Sophia), His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Ethel Waters). Film: DayBlack, Down to Earth. NYU/Fordham. Thanks to Sean and Ricky. Mommy, there’s a ribbon in the sky for our love. Daddy, I’m singing this song for you.
@maieshamcqueen

Ashley Blanchet

Dawn

Broadway: Frozen, Beautiful, Annie, Memphis. Upcoming Film: Better Nate Than Ever on Disney+, Are You Okay? (WonderMedia). Select Regional: Cinderella (Title Role, Paper Mill Playhouse), Oklahoma! (Ado Annie, PCLO). Thrilled to be down at the diner! Thanks especially to Pat Goodwin and the amazing team at DGRW. Welcome back to Broadway! For Nick.

@a_blanchetr, ashleyblanchet.com

JOSHUA HENRY

Dr. Pomatter

Joshua Henry can currently be seen starring opposite Jason Momoa in “See” Season 1 for Apple TV. Most recently, Joshua appeared Off-Broadway in The Wrong Man at MCC Theatre. Prior to his critically acclaimed performance in The Wrong Man, Joshua starred on Broadway as the iconic Billy Bigelow in the revival of Carousel, for which he received Tony and Grammy Award nominations. Before headlining in Carousel, Joshua starred as Aaron Burr in Hamilton in Los Angeles. He has also starred on Broadway as Noble Sissle in George C. Wolfe’s Tony-nominated musical Shuffle Along and was Tony-nominated for his star turn as Flick in the musical Violet. He received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Award nominations for his performance. He was previously Tony-nominated for his performance in Susan Stroman’s The Scottsboro Boys. Other Broadway credits include leading roles in Porgy & Bess and Green Day’s American Idiot. Upcoming: tick, tick…BOOM! (Netflix/ Imagine Entertainment). He recently released his debut EP called Guarantee, available on all music platforms.

Tyrone Davis, Jr.

Ogie

Tyrone Davis, Jr. steps into the role of Ogie after performing as an ensemble member and understudy in the production since 2017.Off-Broadway: The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Transport Group), Invisible Thread (Second Stage Theater). Tours: Shrek (first national). Regional: A.R.T., The Old Globe, Goodspeed Musicals, Dallas Theater Center, Vineyard Playhouse. TV: “Little American” (Apple). New World School of the Arts. Love to my family!! @tyronedavisjr

Ben Thompson

Earl

Broadway: Matilda (Trunchbull), Holler if Ya Hear Me (Griffy), American Idiot. TV/film: “Leverage: Redemption,” “Single Drunk Female,” “Chicago PD,” “Little Voice,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Daredevil,” “BULL,” The Seagull, Freedom. Vocals: The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hanson, Tick Tick Boom, In the Heights, Vivo, and the “Sesame Street” podcast Foley and Friends. TCU alum. For my wife, Kat, and daughter, Tala. @itsbenthompson

Dakin Matthews

Joe

Broadway: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Iceman Cometh, The Audience, Rocky, The Best Man, A Man for All Seasons, Henry IV. Off-Broadway: The Public Theater, Encores!, Playwrights Horizons, Acting Company. Regional: over 200 plays. Film: Bridge of Spies, Lincoln, True Grit, Zero Charisma. TV: “Gilmore Girls,” “Desperate Housewives,” “King of Queens.”

Benny Elledge

Cal

Benny Elledge is excited to be returning to his role as Cal with the Waitress fam. Currently he can be seen in the lead role of the feature film Kringle Time (Winner: Audience Award and Best Actor, Brooklyn Film Festival), streaming on Amazon and iTunes. (Please watch!) Much love to Mom, Dad & Stephanie. Big thanks to KMR & Telsey. SKOL!

McKENZIE MELIA CALDERON

Lulu

McKenzie is so excited to make her Broadway debut. She lives in Harlem, NYC, and is an only child. McKenzie loves to sing, dance, and play with dolls. She wants to thank her parents and her agent, Bonnie at Stewart Talent, for their support.

MARK CHRISTINE

Ensemble, u/s Ogie, u/s Cal

Broadway debut! Acting: Waitress (First National), Peter Brook’s The Suit, Mark Taper, Denver Center, Guthrie, La Jolla. Music Directing: McCarter, The Jungle, Signature. Training: Michigan, UCSD. President of CollegeAuditionCoach.com, helping HS students get into college performing arts programs! For Lenne.

Matt DeAngelis

Ensemble, u/s Dr. Pomatter, u/s Earl

Broadway/West End: Hair. Tours: Hair, American Idiot, Once, Waitress. TV: “Person of Interest,” “Madam Secretary,” “Daredevil,” “Evil,” “For Life,” “Chicago P.D.,” “FBI.” Favorite roles: Christine’s husband & Chowdah’s dog-dad. So honored to be here. www.mattdeangelis.com @MattDeAngelis22 #WAMFAM

Henry Gottfried

Ensemble, u/s Dr. Pomatter, u/s Earl, u/s Ogie

cannot overstate the role Waitress has played in his life. He is so happy to be back. Hometown: Nashville, Tenn. BA: Yale University. Henry is grateful to many people, but most especially his loving parents. henrygottfried.com

Emily Koch

Swing, u/s Jenna, u/s Dawn

Broadway: Wicked, Waitress. National tours: Wicked, Waitress. Godspell at Berkshire Theatre Group, only Actors’ Equity Musical of 2020. Proud Carnegie Mellon and Interlochen graduate. Thank you to the Waitress team, Matt Farnsworth, BRS/Gage, Jim Hogan, and Mom and Dad.

GERIANNE PÉREZ

Swing, u/s Nurse Norma

Broadway: In Transit (Kathy). First national tour: Waitress (Ensemble, u/s Dawn), Vocalosity. Regional: In the Heights at the Hangar Theatre (Vanessa), Grease at Maine State Music Theatre (Rizzo). Endless gratitude to BRS/Gage and, most importantly, my family.  @gerianne.perez, gerianneperez.com

Olivia Lucy Phillip

Ensemble, Nurse Norma, u/s Becky

Olivia rejoins the cast of Waitress! Most recently, she starred as Kate Jones alongside Edie Falco in CBS’s “Tommy.” Broadway/West End credits include Frozen (Bulda), Disaster!, The Book of Mormon, Ghost, Priscilla QOTD, Chicago (Velma Kelly).

Kennedy Salters

u/s Becky

Kennedy Salters is an Atlanta-based actress and product of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Recent credits: Legally Blonde(Paulette), Mamma Mia!(Rosie), and the WaitressNational Tour (Becky). She is elated to join the Broadway Company! IG: @thechocdrop

Grace Stockdale

Ensemble, u/s Jenna

Broadway debut! Up next: 1776 Broadway revival (Standby Martha Jefferson). This moment is dedicated to my family, with endless gratitude to Nick, the Antons, CGF, and the entire Waitress team. First National Tour: Kinky Boots (Nicola), Waitress (u/s Jenna). @gracestockdale

AVA KACEY THOMAS

Lulu

Ava is 4 years old and excited to make her Broadway debut! She enjoys dancing, tennis, and playing with her baby sister. She is grateful to her family and friends for their love and support. Special thanks to Bonnie at Stewart Talent and Stephanie & Dave at Edge.

CHERISE THOMAS

Ensemble, u/s Becky, u/s Norse Norma

Broadway debut! Tour: Disenchanted! The Hilarious Hit Musical. Regional: Hair, Dreamgirls. TV: “The Chi,” “Empire.” Latest single “NBTB” online under Cherise Coaches. Thank you to my family and friends, Stewart Talent, The VB’s, and, most of all, TGBTG!

Curtis Thomas

Ensemble, u/s Cal, u/s Joe

Overjoyed to be making his Broadway debut in the diner! Huge gratitude to his family, especially Angela, Ash, Tab, and Kait. Dedicated to the ones we’ve lost. In solidarity with our collective liberation. @curtisthethomas.

Stephanie Torns

Ensemble, u/s Jenna

OBC Waitress. Wicked (Elphaba stand-by). Regional: Waitress (A.R.T), Wicked, 9 to 5 (Judy), Les Misérables (Eponine). Thrilled to be back opening up the diner! All my love to my family and B. This one’s for you, Pa! IG: @Tornsy18