Tony Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles says she may, at some point, assume the leading role of Jenna Hunterson in her own Broadway musical, Waitress, currently being played by fellow Tony nominee Jessie Mueller. But Bareilles said she needs to finish a new record album first.
Billboard magazine on January 10 cited “a source” saying that the Bareilles is in ”final talks” to take over the role.
The story was posted the same day Bareilles was asked “point-blank” by talk show host Laura Heywood “Will you now or ever be stepping into the role of Jenna?” Bareilles replied, "I've said this from the beginning: never say never. Of course it's a dream of mine but...my number one priority right now is to work on my next record. If the stars align and it worked out at some point—we're talking about huge shoes to fill here....”
Bareilles also made a plea for some personal downtime, saying “I've got to go work on a record and remember how to be Sara.”
Watch a clip of the exchange here:
In which @SaraBareilles simultaneously confirms a new record AND that says she may someday play Jenna in @WaitressMusical!!! 🎶💿🎉🎭🍰🎉 #video pic.twitter.com/BpiIYBLhsi
— Laura Heywood (@BroadwayGirlNYC) January 10, 2017
It wouldn't be Bareilles’ first time singing Jenna’s role; she released a solo album of herself singing songs from the Tony-nominated score—What's Inside: Songs From Waitress—in November 2015, about six months before the show opened on Broadway.
