Waitress is a musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, and a book by Jes

sie Nelson. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly,
the musical tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a waitress in an unhappy marria
ge to her husband Earl. When Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant she begins an a
ffair with her gynecologist Dr. Jim Pomatter. Looking for ways out she sees a pi
e contest and its grand prize as her chance.
Stage rights to the film were purchased in 2007, whilst the musicals' creative t
eam was assembled by 2013. The original production of Waitress premiered at the
American Repertory Theater in Cambridge in August 2015, with direction by Diane
Paulus and choreography by Chase Brock, and starring Jessie Mueller, Drew Gehlin
g and Joe Tippett as Jenna, Jim and Earl, respectively. It made its Broadway deb
ut at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in April 2016. A US tour is scheduled for 2017
.
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Productions
3 Synopsis
3.1 Act I
3.2 Act II
4 Music
4.1 Musical numbers
4.2 Recordings
4.3 Track listing
5 Characters and original cast
5.1 Replacements
6 Critical response
7 Awards and nominations
8 References
9 External links
Background[edit]
The musical is based on the 2007 indie film[1] Waitress.[2] The film was produce
d on a budget of just $1.5 million, earning over $23 million in global box offic
e receipts.[3] The film starred Keri Russell, and was written and directed by Ad
rienne Shelly,[4] who was murdered three months prior to the premiere of Waitres
s[5] at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.[6] The film followed Jenna, a waitress
and pie chef living in the American South, who unexpectedly becomes pregnant and
feels trapped in an unhappy marriage.[7] Looking for ways out she sees a pie co
ntest and its grand prize as her chance.[8]
Following the 2013 Tony Awards, producers Barry and Fran Weissler announced that
a musical version of the film was in the works,[9] with Paula Vogel writing the
book, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and direction by Diane Paulus.[10] The
Weisslers purchased the stage rights to the film shortly after its release in 2
007.[11] Paula Vogel withdrew from the project in January 2014.[12] On December
11, 2014, the musical was officially confirmed, and it was announced that the sh
ow would receive its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater, Cambridge
, Massachusetts, as part of their 2015-16 season, with Jessie Nelson now writing
the book.[13][14] A workshop was held the same month in New York City, with Jes
sie Mueller, Keala Settle, Christopher Fitzgerald, Bryce Pinkham and Andy Karl,
among others, taking part.[15] Nelson, with the best wishes of the late Adrienne
Shelly's husband, used some of Shelly's unfinished scripts to help bring "her v
oice" to the project.[16]
Productions[edit]
Waitress began previews on August 2, 2015, at the American Repertory Theater in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, before the official opening on August 19, 2015, for a
limited run to September 27, 2015.[17][18] Tickets for the world premiere produc
tion sold out.[19] The show has a book by Jessie Nelson, with direction by Diane
Paulus,[20] choreography by Chase Brock,[21] set design by Scott Pask, costume
design by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, musical dire
ction by Nadia DiGiallonardo and sound by Jonathan Deans.[22] Notable casting fo
r the show included Jessie Mueller as Jenna, Drew Gehling as Jim, Joe Tippett as
 Earl, Jeanna de Waal as Dawn, Keala Settle as Becky, Dakin Matthews as Joe, Jer
emy Morse as Ogie and Eric Anderson as Cal.[23]
During previews at the American Repertory Theater, it was announced that the pro
duction would transfer to Broadway in March 2016.[24] Previews began at the Broo
ks Atkinson Theatre, on March 25, 2016, with the official opening slated for Apr
il 24,[25] just in time for the 2015-2016 Tony Award cut-off date of April 28.[2
6] Tickets for the transfer went on sale on February 15.[27] Changes to the crea
tive team for the Broadway run, included Lorin Latarro replacing Chase Brock as
choreographer[28] and Christopher Akerlind replacing Kenneth Posner as lighting
designer.[29] For the Broadway production elements of the book were rewritten, n
ew choreography developed and a new song written by Bareilles.[11] Manhattan bak
er Stacy Donnelly, was hired to ensure the baking scenes were realistic. Donnell
y taught the cast how to work and roll pie dough.[30] The role of Jenna requires
Mueller to crack eggs, sift flour and roll out dough on stage.[30] To help imme
rse audiences real pies are warming as they enter the theatre, creating the arom
a of a pie shop, with slices of pie also on sale.[31] Cast changes included Nick
Cordero taking over the role of Earl,[32] Kimiko Glenn as Dawn and Christopher
Fitzgerald who took part in the New York workshop as Ogie.[33] During previews t
he production set the record for a single performance at the Brooks Atkinson The
atre, taking $145,532.[34] The production had required an initial investment of
$12 million.[11] During a technical halt at a preview performance composer and l
yricist Sara Bareilles performed two songs, including a song previously cut from
the production called Down at the Diner. [35]
With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson, choreography by
Lorin Latarro, and direction by Diane Paulus, Waitress made history on Broadway
with the four top creative spots in a show being filled by women.[36] In additio
n the creative posts of costume design and musical direction were held by women.
[29] Sara Bareilles said she was proud to be part of an all-female team: "It's r
eally fun to be an example of the way it can look. We're a bunch of women who ar
e deeply committed to finding a way to build a unified vision."[37] The only oth
er musical with a similar history was the 1978 Broadway musical Runaways, which
had a book, music, lyrics, choreography and direction solely by one woman, Eliza
beth Swados.[29]
A US national tour is scheduled to begin at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland on
October 17, 2017.[38]