Al Roker makes his Broadway debut in Waitress

Mr. Roker assumes the role of Joe for a limited engagement through to November 11, 2018.

As previously announced, NBC's TODAY Show star Al Roker officially makes his Broadway debut as Joe in hit musical Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre tonight and is scheduled to play a limited engagement through to November 11, 2018. He is set to play six performances each week and will not appear on Saturday and Sunday matinees.

Mr. Roker is best known as the weather and feature anchor on NBC News' TODAY Show. He is the recipient of 7 Daytime Emmy Awards and since 1985, he has worked as a co-host of various NBC specials, as well as the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rose Bowl Parade.

He previously commented: "I'm nervous and excited to be making my Broadway debut in such a Pie-conic show. My character's name is Old Joe, so I've got half of it down already. And there's pie every night!"

The show's composer Sara Bareilles added: "We are thrilled to have the beloved Al Roker joining the cast of Waitress for a limited engagement. He is a longtime favorite of ours and now we get to welcome him in to a whole new world at the Brooks Atkinson where it hardly ever rains."

The current principal cast of Waitress includes Nicolette Robinson (as Jenna), Drew Gehling (as Dr. Pomatter), NaTasha Yvette Williams (as Becky), Katie Lowes (as Dawn), Ben Thompson (as Earl), Al Roker (as Joe), Benny Elledge (as Cal), and Adam Shapiro (as Ogie).

Waitress officially opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 24 April 2016, following previews from 25 March.

Waitress is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by six-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.

Synopsis: "Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, the musical follows Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop forever... until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town's handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Supported by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she's been missing all along - courage."

The creative team features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Suttirat Larlarb, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind and sound design by Jonathan Deans.

​Waitress is produced on Broadway by Barry & Fran Weissler and Norton & Elayne Herrick.

Waitress Tickets are available now for performances through to March 31, 2019.

^{(Photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown)}