Lucie Jones debuts as Jenna in Waitress London cast
Lucie Jones made her debut as Jenna in the cast of Waitress in London’s West End tonight.
Jones, who is not currently listed as part of the official company, started covering the lead role usually played by Katharine McPhee this evening.
A picture of tonight’s (May 16) cast board at the Adelphi Theatre shared to Twitter by @talyaagaseex confirmed the switch.
Jones rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009 and represented the UK at Eurovision in 2017. Her stage credits include Rent, Legally Blonde and A Christmas Carol.
How long Jones will be in the role for has not been revealed but the official Waitress Twitter account confirmed that McPhee is returning to the cast in due course.
Those who caught Jones’ debut were full of praise.
@SuzeGold wrote on Twitter: “Unexpectedly seeing @luciejones1’s debut as Jenna in @WaitressLondon – and she’s utterly wonderful!! ?”
@willdoesdisney added: “@luciejones1 was incredible in @WaitressLondon tonight! Can’t believe I was lucky enough to see her first show… Wow! Amazing show all round too!”
While McPhee’s current absence is temporary, it was previously announced she will be leaving the Waitress London cast in June.
Producers confirmed last month that American singer McPhee will play her final performance on 15 June.
She said in a post on Instagram: “I’m playing Jenna and if you haven’t come to see the show yet nows your chance because I am here to June 15.
“I will be wrapping up on June 15 and so if you haven’t got your tickets, get them now. Hopefully you’ll come and see me!”
Confirmed the official Waitress London Twitter account: “We have #WaitressLondon news! Our wonderful @katharinemcphee’s final performance as Jenna will be on 15 June 2019 ?”
Whether or not Jones will takeover the role full time once McPhee leaves has yet to be officially confirmed.
Waitress started performances on the West End in February 2019 following a successful run on Broadway where it is currently still playing.
With a score by Sara Bareilles, a book by Jessie Nelson and direction by Paulus, Waitress features a ground-breaking, all-female lead creative team.
It tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage.
Waitress is currently playing at the Adelphi Theatre and booking through until October 2019.
PIC: Lucie Jones/Instagram / talyaagaseex/Twitter.
More on: Musical Theatre News
