MANILA -- Bituin Escalante will be joining the cast of the hit musical “Waitress,” which will be staged in Manila in November.

Escalante will play the role of Becky, the sassy and lovable friend of the lead character Jenna.

Aside from being a popular OPM artist, Escalante has also made rounds in the theatre scene since 1999. She was a part of the Manila cast of the first staging of “Rent” where she brought the house down nightly as the “Seasons of Love” soloist, and went on to play Joanne in the repeat run.

She also made waves as Effie White in the Tony-winning musical “Dreamgirls.”

Escalante has also starred in numerous award-winning shows such as “Tick, Tick…Boom!” as Susan and Karessa, “Once on This Island” as Asaka, and “The Rocky Horror Show” as Columbia.

“After 15 years, I’m ecstatic to be coming home to Atlantis Theatrical. I can’t believe I have to wait so long before we start rehearsals,” she said.

With music and lyrics by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, and based on the 2007 movie of the same name, “Waitress” tells the story of Jenna, an expert baker who is disillusioned with her life and reckons with herself through the simple magic of baking.

Accompanied by her friends Dawn and Becky, Jenna finds the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

“Waitress” will open on November 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.