When director Rick Hammerly signed on for his latest musical, he didn’t realize that he would be running a restaurant as well.

Adapted from a 2007 Keri Russell film of the same name, “Waitress” — which opens this weekend at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre — largely takes place at a diner in the American South.

“In some ways it is a typical musical. You learn the music, you learn the choreography, you’ve got your dialogue, you pull it all together — except these women and Cal, the short order cook, are also running a restaurant,” says Hammerly before launching into the mechanics of onstage restaurant management: “This table has to be set. This order is picked up. They’re bussed. You refill a coffee. There is this whole play within a play.”

Featuring music and lyrics by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles, “Waitress” concerns Jenna, a server and expert pie baker who’s stuck in an abusive marriage. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her obstetrician and makes plans to compete in a pie baking competition where the winner will receive $20,000. The musical, which includes a book by Jessie Nelson, debuted on Broadway in 2016 and received four Tony nominations.

Power of friendship

“The story is how she finds her way and comes out the other side,” says Hammerly, who is also Virginia Rep’s artistic director. “It speaks to the power of friendship and community and your chosen family, and the fact that you should never stop trying to realize [your dreams].”

Emelie Faith Thompson, who previously performed on Virginia Rep’s stage as Donna in 2022’s “Mamma Mia!” and Siobhan in 2018’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” stars as Jenna. Thompson says her character is brave and cares deeply for other people.

“This show means a lot because it explores the doubts that somebody can have in this position and how becoming a parent doesn’t mean the end of your dreams.”

“Jenna is a survivor,” she says. “She’s been in really difficult circumstances for most of her life and she makes the best of everything.”

Unlike some other shows, Thompson appreciates that “Waitress” doesn’t portray pregnancy and motherhood purely for laughs.

“This really deals with it in such a human way,” says Thompson, who has three children of her own. “This show means a lot because it explores the doubts that somebody can have in this position and how becoming a parent doesn’t mean the end of your dreams.”

Though Hammerly didn’t inquire about actors’ restaurant experience during auditions, he was pleased to learn of Thompson’s previous work waiting tables in New York City’s Theater District.

“Emelie’s the only one of our waitresses who can walk over to a counter and pick up three plates on one arm and go,” Hammerly says.

Asked about the musical’s score, Thompson says it stands alone among Broadway shows.

“In some ways it’s really unique, and I think Sara Bareilles fans will certainly identify it as music written by Sara Bareilles,” Thompson says. “A lot of pop music doesn’t necessarily have the emotional scope of her work, and that’s what makes it so special to me. It’s so beautiful, but it’s also such incredible storytelling.”

Hammerly says the show has broad appeal.

“Even though it’s about female empowerment, there were parts that I connected to so strongly,” he says. “It has a real emotional resonance to it. It does deal with some serious subjects, but in a hopeful and practical way. Of course, Sara Bareilles’ songwriting really takes it to the next level.”

Forty different pies created

Aside from Jenna, the show’s main cast of characters is rounded out by the socially awkward Dawn, the irreverent and sassy Becky, the curmudgeonly Joe and the kindly hunk Dr. Pomatter.

“The characters are so quirky,” Hammerly says. “They each have their own needs and wants and feelings.”

In addition to running a restaurant onstage, the musical necessitates the creation of 40 different pies. Two people worked for two weeks to create the salt crust pies featured in the show.

“They literally rolled [the salt crust] out, baked it into pies, filled the pies with fake things, then shellacked them and turned them into non-edible but pretty pies,” Hammerly says.

Despite the show touching on heavy topics, Hammerly says “Waitress” is ultimately an uplifting experience.

“Not only is it a beautiful, compelling musical, but you’re going to relate to these characters and take an emotional journey with them,” he says. “What could ultimately be a dark play because of its subject matter becomes cathartic. There is so much joy in this play when we get to the end.”

Virginia Rep’s “Waitress” plays June 20-Aug. 3 at the November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. For more information visit va-rep.org or call (804) 282-2620.