Jason Mraz will step into Broadway’s Waitress beginning November 3. The music star—alongside composer Sara Bareilles and current star Betsy Wolfe—took the stage at the YouTube Space at Chelsea Market during a recent press event to discuss his upcoming Broadway debut.

Mraz is no stranger to the role, having sung two of Dr. Pomatter’s songs with Bareilles on her concept album for the musical, What’s Inside. But even before then, he has musical theatre roots dating back to childhood.

“I have as much of a musical history as any young person who loves singing,” he says. “If you love singing, you’re probably going to be involved in your chorus drama programs—and possibly your community theatre—which is what I did.”

A new Pomatter brings a new energy to the show for Wolfe. “We’re actually changing a couple things about his character based on who Jason is and where his natural tendencies lie.” She’s not short on flattering adjectives to describe those natural tendencies: “He’s charismatic, and free, and careless, and charming.”

Mraz joins the show nearly two years into its Broadway run, following in the footsteps of a number of previous replacements, including Bareilles herself in the role of Jenna. “What I love about being at this stage,” the composer explains, “is it means that this little show that we made is a living, breathing organism that gets to be reinvented and rediscovered.”

Waitress continues to play the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

SUGAR, BUTTER, MERCHANDISE! SEE WHAT’S BEING OFFERED AT THE PLAYBILL STORE