Stage musical adaptation to open on Broadway in April

A stage-musical adaptation of Waitress, the 2007 independent film by the late Adrienne Shelly, is to begin performances on Broadway in March, producers announced Thursday.

The production will officially open in April at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Waitress is currently playing at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., where it is scheduled to run through Sept. 27. The new musical has a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

Casting will be announced at a later date. Waitress will be produced on Broadway by Barry and Fran Weissler, and Norton and Elayne Herrick.

"Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna must weigh her commitments against a rare shot at freedom and recognition," a news release said. "Her customers, co-workers, and the town's handsome new doctor all offer her conflicting recipes for happiness -- but Jenna must ultimately decide for herself."

The film version starred Shelly, Keri Russell, Cheryl Hines, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto and Andy Griffith. Shelly was murdered during a burglary in her Manhattan office in 2006, shortly before the movie opened to critical acclaim. She was 40.