OBSERVER: Waitress
Broadway’s smash-hit musical Waitress is playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne until July 19.
Leading the cast as Jenna is Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Chicago, Shirley Valentine), while Gabriyel Thomas (Cats, Sister Act) and Mackenzie Dunn (Grease, Annie) play Becky and Dawn, Jenna’s coworkers at the diner.
Rob Mills (& Juliet, Wicked) is Dr Pomatter, and John Waters (Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!) plays Joe, the owner of the diner.
Keanu Gonzalez (Annie, West Side Story) is Earl, Gareth Isaac (Elf the Musical, Mary Poppins) plays the role of Ogie, John Xintavelonis (The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King) plays Cal, and Annie Aitken (Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music) is the Jenna Alternate.
The ensemble and swing cast comprises Cameron Boxall, Alexandra Cashmere, Ethan Jones, Dwayne P. Mitchell, Joseph Naim, Conor Neylon, Belle Parkinson, Emily Robinson, Elandrah Tavares, Bree Tipoki and Stephanie Wall.
Lulu is played by Stevie Denton (5 years old, from North Warrandyte), Lola Inman (5, from Langwarrin), Ruby Marshall (5, from Port Melbourne) and Evie Papas (6, from Templestowe).
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film, and brought to life by a female-led creative team, including a book by screenwriter Jessie Nelson, an original score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) and direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus, Waitress is the Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.
The musical tells the story of Jenna, small-town waitress and expert pie maker who longs to escape her rocky marriage and start again.
When a baking contest, an unexpected new romance and the support of her fellow waitresses offer her a taste of change, Jenna discovers that the secret ingredient to happiness might be closer than she ever imagined.
Melbourne Season: Until July 19.
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Gabriyel Thomas, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Mackenzie Dunn in Waitress. Photo: John Busby

