BUFFALO, NY - The national touring production of the Tony nominated musical "Waitress" is performing at Shea's Buffalo this week, and two local little girls have been cast in the show's pivotal role.
The Broadway musical, written by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles and inspired by Adrienne Shelley's 2007 motion picture, is about a girl named Jenna who is working at a diner, stuck in a small town and in a loveless marriage. Her salvation comes from her daughter, Lulu.
For the Buffalo leg of this national tour, Lulu is played by two little local actresses. 5-year-olds Isabella Maritato and Sophia Vandette are alternating the role.
Daybreak's Melissa Holmes had an exclusive look as they were rehearsing just hours before they took the stage.
Isabella goes to St. Gregory the Great school in Williamsville and loves and dancing, skiing, and softball.
Sophia goes to Big Tree Elementary in Hamburg and is a student at the Academy of Theatre Arts and Mary Alice's Dance Studio.
Those two beat out about 40 other girls for the role.
"I always wanted to be on the stage," said Sophia. "I've been on lots of stages before but not this stage."
Isabella is also excited to be on a big stage for the first time.
"I've never been on a real big stage before. And when I went to watch the Nutcracker (at Shea's) I was like, 'Mommy, one day I want to be on that stage!'"
And now she is!
It's an impressive job on the resumes for a couple of kindergartners.
Tickets for Waitress are still available. It runs through Sunday, February 11. For more tour information, visit Shea's website or Waitress.