Waitress

Book – Jessie Nelson 

Jessie Nelson wrote the musical Waitress with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The show played on Broadway for 4 years and moved to the West End in London. Sara and Jessie went on to create the show Little Voice which they Executive Produced with JJ Abrams for Apple TV. Jessie wrote, directed and produced Corrina Corrina and I Am Sam starring Sean Penn, who received an Academy Award nomination for his performance. Among her other directing credits are Curb Your Enthusiasm and Love, the Coopers with Diane Keaton. Her writing credits include Step Mom and The Story of Us. She produced Fred Claus and Danny Collins. In London, Jessie directed Alice by Heart which she co-wrote with Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik at the National Theater Connections Program and again at MCC in NYC. She began her career as an actress at the Public Theater working with the award-winning experimental theater Mabou Mines and at the New York Shakespeare Festival. She wrote the children’s book Labracadabra. She has been the artistic Director of the Sundance Screen Writers Lab.

Music and Lyrics – Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles can next be seen starring in the upcoming Tina Fey’s series, GIRLS5EVA. Bareilles first achieved mainstream critical praise in 2007 with her widely successful hit “Love Song,” which reached No. 1 in 22 countries around the world from her debut album Little Voice. Since then, Sara has gone on to receive seven Grammy® nominations throughout her career, which include Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Love Song” and one Album of the Year for her highly acclaimed third studio album, The Blessed Unrest. Her book, Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song, was released in the fall of 2015 by Simon & Schuster and is a New York Times best seller. Making her Broadway debut Sara composed the music and lyrics for Waitress, for which she received her first Tony® Award nomination for Best Score and a 2017 Grammy® Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. She also made her Broadway acting debut in 2017 by stepping into the lead role in Waitress. 2018 was a big year for Sara, she co-hosted the Tony Awards®, was nominated for an Emmy® and Grammy ® for her role in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert and was awarded with the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award. Sara also teamed up with Apple as an executive producer for Little Voice a 10-episode series, for which she created the original music. What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress, her most recent solo studio album, is out on Epic Records. On April 5, 2019, Sara released her fifth full-length and first album of original material since 2013, entitled Amidst the Chaos. For this latest body of work, she joined forces in the studio with legendary Academy® Award-winning producer T Bone Burnett. As a result, the album spotlights her voice as a singer and storyteller like never before, while making an enduring statement.

Jenna – Kenzie Henderson

Kenzie Henderson (Jenna) is thrilled to return to the WVPT stage. If this opportunity were a pie, she’d call it “Pinch Me I’m Dreaming Pie.” She was last seen at WVPT as Madge Larabee in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. Additional credits include Steel Magnolias (Shelby), The Odd Couple (Gwendolyn Pigeon), Elf the Musical (Jovie), and Seussical (Mayzie La Bird). Kenzie lives in NYC and, in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her husband Andy, walking their two dogs, and working at her local coffee shop. Thankful to God for the chance to create.

Becky – Tammie Harris

Tammie Harris is an actress and singer from Georgetown, Kentucky. Her productions include Dreamgirls, Ain’t Misbehavin, Into the Woods, Newsies and Hairspray. When traveling, you’ll find her being a ginger ale ambassador, researching eyebrow microblading, being Whitney Houston’s unofficial fan club president, laughing at videos of people falling…basically, the same things she does at home. Tammie would like to thank her family and friends for their infinite love and support! Her advice: get a steamer and a nebulizer, moisturizers with SPF, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz for sparse brows.

Dawn – Bec Hyde

Bec Hyde (she/they) is an honors graduate from WVU with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Dance. Some of her previous credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim/Fan), and Carrie (Stokes). She was last seen at WVPT in the reading of I Want to Know What Love Is as Luanne. She is so grateful for the support from her friends and family!

Dr. Pomatter – Vishal Vaidya

Vishal Vaidya played Jerome in the 2024 Tony Award winning Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along. Other credits include Larry in Groundhog Day (Broadway), The Light in the Piazza (City Center), Come Fall in Love (Old Globe), Swept Away (Berkeley Rep), The Secret Garden (Ahmanson/CTG), and a Helen Hayes nominated performance as Marcellus in The Music Man at Olney Theatre Center. Vishal also has a robust private voice studio, and has lectured for CAP21/Molloy College, Oklahoma City University, Point Park University, and more. IG: @vishgram 

Joe – Michael Rohlf

Michael Rohlf (Joe) is thrilled to be involved in this inaugural production of Waitress with WVPT. Michael performed with WVPT in the past as Drake the Butler in Annie. Past credits include John Adams in 1776, Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, Harold the Hermit in Young Frankenstein and in his much younger days Curley in Oklahoma. In fact, he likes to think that Joe is Curley as an “old man.” Appropriate, somehow. In real life, Michael’s favorite role is “Dad” to his kids and exchange kids. But his new favorite role is “Grumpy” to his brand new granddaughter, Amoreena. This one’s for you, Sweetpea.

Ogie – Jack Gereski

Jack Gereski (he/him) is excited to make his WVPT debut! He received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his M.F.A. from the University of Houston’s PATP. Recent credits include The Office! A Musical Parody (Off-Broadway debut), Grave Reviews (New York Theatre Festival),
RENT (Theatre Under the Stars), The Secret of My Success (TUTS), Cymbeline (Houston Shakespeare Festival), King Lear (HSF), and The Lifespan of a Fact (4th Wall Theatre Co). Much love to his always-supportive friends, family, and his rock, Jordan. jackgereski.com | IG: @j_gereski3

Earl – Jonnie Carpathios

Jonnie Carpathios is a dynamic stage/screen actor originally from Northeast Ohio. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shawnee State University and is currently pursuing his MFA in Acting at WVU. Jonnie has performed professionally across the U.S. and internationally, bringing versatility and depth to every role. Recent credits include headlining as Captain Jack in Royal Caribbean’s Private Destination productions and portraying Mitch Cozad on HBO/Investigation Discovery’s Murder Under Friday Night Lights. Jonnie is a proud member of Actors’ Equity since 2017.

Cal – Jamaas Britton

Jamaas Britton (He/Him/His) is excited to be a part of West Virginia Public Theatre’s production of Waitress. He received his B.F.A in Musical Theater from Limestone College and M.F.A in Acting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Jamaas has done a multitude of commercial work, short films, plays, and musicals for projects in the Carolinas. He is grateful and appreciative to all involved at WVPT, and thanks God, his family, and friends for all of their support so far.

Lulu – Eleanor Warren

Eleanor, age 5, is excited to make her theatrical debut. She is a recent graduate of Hopwood Preschool, plays soccer, and has taken dance at Lanzi Academy of Dance in Uniontown. Her favorite things include the color pink, singing sea shanties with her brother, and listening to music with her parents. 
Eleanor alternates the role of Lulu with Martha Hayes.

Lulu – Martha Hayes

Martha Hayes is a Morgantown native who has been dancing since she was 3 years old and is newly exploring acting. She is inspired by all things musical and is very grateful for the support and encouragement of her mentor, Angela Dennis of Umbrella Arts.
Martha alternates the role of Lulu with Eleanor Warren.

Ensemble – Andres Felipe

Andres Felipe is a versatile performer with 19 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has worked with ABC, Universal, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, Azamara Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and starred in Tootsie, An American in Paris, Beetlejuice the Musical, In the Heights, Rent, A Christmas Carol, and Hello Dolly. His career has also afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists like Macy Gray and Bobby Brown. You can find his original music on all streaming platforms (Mr. Andres Felipe), including his newest album LOVE LETTERS.

Ensemble – Shelby Garrett

Shelby is thrilled to be back at WVPT! National tour: Girl’s Night: The Musical. Selected credits: Miss Julie (PICT), Clue (WVPT), Nunsense (St. Vincent Theatre), The Basement Company and Twelfth Night (Chicago), Narnia: The Musical, and The Wizard of Oz (WVPT). At WVU, she was involved in numerous productions, favorites including Indecent, Carrie: The Musical, Measure for Measure, and The Skriker. TV/Film: Chicago PD and Swan Song (Magnolia Pictures). BFA from Wright State University, MFA from WVU, represented by Docherty Talent. Love to her amazing family & friends! @sherbs1011

Ensemble – Alexis Richelle

Alexis Richelle is a New York based actress and Molloy/Cap21 alumni who is incredibly excited to be sharing this story with you. Her credits include Warriors Don’t Cry, Beehive: The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Jersey Boys and Disenchanted!. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love! IG: @alexisrichelle_

Ensemble – Rachel Rudolph

Rachel Rudolph is a rising senior at NYU Tisch studying drama with a Musical Theatre emphasis in the New Studio on Broadway and is thrilled to be a part of Waitress this summer! West Virginia is her favorite place in the whole world, and she is so excited to make her professional debut here. Recent credits: Maggie in A Chorus Line (Tisch Drama), Emma in The Prom (Theatre Charlotte), Jesus Christ Superstar (West 4th Stage Co.) and Damn Yankees (Tisch Drama). Love to friends and family always!
Instagram: @rachlru

Ensemble – Isa Sánchez

Isa Sánchez is a New York City-based actor with roots in Miami. Regional Credits: Pippin (Weston Playhouse), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Firebird Pops), RENT (Umbrella Stage Co). Boston Conservatory Graduate. Immense gratitude to CHI Talent Management, casting & creatives. Endless love to her friends + family — may we all be so lucky! Follow her journey @isainthemoment

Ensemble – Larry Robert Smith III

Larry Robert Smith III (Ensemble) is incredibly grateful to make his debut performing at WVPT. Born in Southern California, he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Dance from WVU. He kept busy in the program performing in eleven mainstage productions, with his favorite being Cinderella (Prince Topher). Some regional credits include Cabaret (Bobby, Mill Mountain Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble, Springer Opera House), and Tarzan (Terk, Theatre
West Virginia). Larry is also a director/choreographer, having staged many pieces throughout his career.
Insta: @larry.thespian Website: larrythespian.com

Ensemble – Caedon Vogel

Caedon Vogel (Ensemble) is ecstatic to make his WVPT debut in Waitress! He is a Senior Education Major at PennWest California (CAL U) and is Student Teaching next semester. Previous credits include; Kinky Boots (Charlie Price), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Joseph), and Godspell (Telly) with Main Street Theatre Company (MSTC), and many educational credits with Cal Theatre. He has numerous ongoing projects (playwriting, composing, D&D… + more), and is also an Eagle Scout, and a member of ΑΨΩ. Next, catch him onstage in MSTC’s Anything Goes!
Website: https://caedonv.wixsite.com/folio 
Insta: @caedon.v