#62: Waitress

  • Performances: 1,544.
  • Open / Close: April 24, 2016 – January 5, 2020
  • Theater: The Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
  • Tony Awards: Nominated for 4 but did not win any.
  • Fun Fact: The production set box office records almost from the start: one of its previews set a record for total receipts of a single performance at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre with $145,532. Overall, inclusive of the 2021 restaging of the show, “Waitress” made almost $185 million ($184,781,903) on Broadway.

Podcast

Both my guest in this episode and I had the chance to see “Waitress” on Broadway and we chose not to. And boy, were we both sorry!

It’s not often with this podcast that we talk about a show you can see right now but “Waitress” is one of those shows that had suddenly started appearing on regional stages all over the country. So there’s a pretty good chance it has appeared, is or soon will be appearing somewhere near you. 

Based on a surprise hit indie film, “Waitress” is ultimately a feel-good story but on the way it deals with a couple serious issues, providing escapism for audiences while not letting them totally forget about some of the not-so-great stuff going on in the world. 

Luckily for me, I got a chance to talk with one of the co-stars of the Virginia Repertory Theatre production of “Waitress” that just opened this past week. Kylee Marquez-Downie has been an emerging talent for a few years and this production marks a chance for more people to see just how amazing she is.

It turns out that she’s also a smart, insightful and thoughtful interview and we have a great time reviewing the the impact of Sara Bareilles, how “Waitress” depicts modern relationships, and many more topics.

The opening scene from the show as it appears in the filmed stage version.
The trailer of the original movie where you can see that most of the aspects of the musical’s story are taken directly from the movie.
A bootleg of the full show with replacements Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan! They’re both great.
A fun behind the scenes look at a rehearsal of the show.
Jason Mraz and Sara Bareilles are just adorable together.
Our girl Sara singing “Brave,” the great song mentioned in the podcast.
If I had seen “Waitress” on Broadway, this is what I would have seen. Katherine McPhee’s pretty darn good.
Well, while I’m at it, here’s Jordin Sparks doing the song as well. A bit more pathos I’d say, and I don’t mind it.