Tony-winning Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler have announced that Norton and Elayne Herrick of Herrick Entertainment will be their co-producers on Waitress, the new musical based upon the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, which will begin previews March 25 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
In a statement Barry Weissler said, “Norton and Elayne first joined us on our Tony-winning production of Pippin a few seasons back. Herrick Entertainment has such a distinguished resume of theatrical and film projects. You couldn’t ask for better partners.” Producer Norton Herrick commented, “I am very excited and proud to be supporting this all-star, history making all-female creative team. Sara Bareilles’ music, Jessie Nelson’s book craft and Diane Paulus’ direction are the perfect ingredients to bring Adrienne Shelly’s beautiful story to the Great White Way.”
As a Broadway production and financing company, Norton Herrick’s Herrick Entertainment has co-produced Broadway’s Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark and Tony Award winners Pippin and Hair; Exit The King and West Side Story. Other shows include: 9 to 5: The Musical; American Buffalo; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Desire Under The Elms; Hairspray; Lord Of The Rings; Promises, Promises; and The Wiz. Herrick Entertainment also produces and finances motion pictures: Critics Choice Award winner Lone Survivor, starring Mark Walhberg and directed by Peter Berg; and 2 Guns, directed by Baltasar Kormakur and starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg.
Following a sold-out limited engagement at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA, Waitress will officially open on Broadway April 24.
Waitress features a book by Jessie Nelson, score by five-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.
Tony winner Jessie Mueller heads the cast as Jenna with Drama Desk nominee Eric Anderson (Cal), Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero (Earl), Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), Kimiko Glenn (Dawn), Dakin Matthews (Joe), Tony Award nominee Keala Settle (Becky), and Charity Angél Dawson, Thay Floyd, Henry Gottfried, Molly Hager, Aisha Jackson, Max Kumangai, Jeremy Morse, Ragan Pharris, Stephanie Torns and Ryan Vasquez.
Waitress , according to press notes, “tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This new American musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.”
Source: http://www.playbill.com/article/waitress-welcomes-new-set-of-co-producers