For decades, Al Roker has been a familiar face on NBC’s Today show, delivering weather forecasts with his signature charm and wit. But now, the beloved weatherman is trading in his weather maps for the bright lights of Broadway. Al has taken on the role of Old Joe, the owner of the pie diner in the critically acclaimed musical Waitress. He’s stepping into the shoes of Bill Nolte, filling the role until November 11. This is more than just a new gig—it’s a bold leap into uncharted territory for the 64-year-old TV personality.
Stepping into the Spotlight
“It’s kind of like what we do on the Today show, in that it’s an ensemble. It’s a family,” Al told Playbill, reflecting on his transition from television to theater. “And this is me trying something new for the first time, so you don’t know what to expect. I guess that’s what I’m most looking forward to: finding out what this is going to be like. Because right now, I don’t know.” Al’s words capture the excitement and uncertainty that come with stepping into a new role, both literally and metaphorically. For someone who has spent years in front of a camera, this is a chance to connect with an audience in a completely different way.
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View this post on InstagramLast night is still a blur, but a wonderful experience appearing in @waitressmusical thinking about my Mom and how tickled she would’ve been, loving #broadway #musicals the way she did
A Dream Role or a Fantasy?
When asked by Billboard if this Broadway stint has been a secret desire of his, Al responded with characteristic humility. “No, no, no. I suppose, maybe in your deepest fantasies if somebody were to wave a wand… in the past, there were only two different plays where I thought, ‘Oh, if I could do that.’ I remember my mother taking me to see Zero Mostel in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and The Producers. Those two roles—but I would have never, ever, ever attempted something like that. So when this came up, it was like, ‘Well, what the heck?’ It’s a small role and it doesn’t make or break the show. Thank God.” Al’s honesty about his Broadway ambitions—or lack thereof—makes his decision to take on the role all the more compelling. It’s not about chasing a dream; it’s about embracing an opportunity that came his way.
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View this post on InstagramWell, we’re in intermission at @waitressmusical and other than a couple of lines I muffed it’s gone ok
The Journey to Broadway
How did this opportunity come about? According to Al, the Waitress team reached out to his agent, suggesting that he’d make a great Old Joe. “After I got over the initial chagrin of somebody thinking I’d be perfect for a character named Old Joe, I was kind of flattered,” he admitted. Interestingly, it was his daughter, a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, who encouraged him to take the role. “Dad, you can do this! It’d be great! You can talk in pitch, it’d be fine!” she assured him. Of course, she’s now away at school and won’t be able to see her father on stage, but Al doesn’t seem too concerned. “But that’s okay,” he said with a laugh.
For someone who reaches millions of viewers every morning on Today, this is the first time Al is actually seeing his audience up close and personal. “There’s this rush when you look out and you get a laugh from an audience,” he explained in a separate Playbill conversation. “It’s just, wow. It’s crazy. We kind of get the best of both worlds on the Today show because we’ve got our Plaza audience. They’re two different animals, but both exciting in their own right. But I’ve only done it on stage on a one-time basis each time. This is going to be a different kind of experience.”
View this post on InstagramA STAR IS BORN! seeing @alroker on Broadway in #Waitress and my ❤️ explodes with awe and pride!
The Thrill of the Unknown
Al’s excitement about the unknown is palpable. “If you’re not nervous about stuff, you’re not excited about it. And then you’re taking it for granted,” he said. This sentiment echoes the nerves and excitement he feels every morning on Today. “I still get nervous every morning when either Savannah [Guthrie] or Hoda [Kotb] says, ‘And now, let’s get our first check of the weather with Al Roker.’ Because I’m thinking, ‘I could blow this whole thing right here.’ But that’s what anybody who loves what they do feels.” It’s this passion for his craft—whether it’s forecasting the weather or performing on stage—that keeps Al grounded and inspired.
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