WAITRESS: Star Power and Female-Led Broadway Hit comes to Australia

 Natalie Bassingthwaighte headlines cast for long-awaited Australian premiere. 

The announcement of Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Jenna in the Australian premiere of Waitress represents a shrewd piece of casting that balances musical theatre credentials with mainstream recognition. The pop star-turned-actress brings both vocal ability (her solo album 1000 Stars reached Number One on the ARIA charts) and the kind of name recognition that can drive ticket sales beyond traditional musical theatre audiences.

Waitress arrives in Australia with considerable pedigree. The musical ran for almost four years on Broadway, earned four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, and made history with the first all-female creative team in Broadway's top positions: Sara Bareilles (music and lyrics), Jessie Nelson (book), Lorin Latarro (choreography), and Diane Paulus (direction). This groundbreaking leadership structure wasn't a deliberate statement but rather creative synergy that happened to shatter a theatrical glass ceiling.

The story, adapted from Adrienne Shelly's 2007 film, follows Jenna Hunterson, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker trapped in an abusive marriage to Earl. When she discovers she's pregnant, her life becomes more complicated as she begins an affair with her gynecologist, Dr. Pomatter. A pie-baking contest offers potential escape, while her friendships with fellow waitresses Becky and Dawn provide crucial support through her journey toward self-determination.

Bareilles' score has proven one of the musical's strongest assets. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter's pop sensibilities create accessibility while her lyrical wit and emotional depth give the songs theatrical substance. Numbers like "She Used to Be Mine" have become standards beyond the show itself, demonstrating how the music functions independently while serving the narrative.

The Australian cast brings together performers with substantial musical theatre experience. Gabriyel Thomas, fresh from her acclaimed turn as Grizabella in the national tour of Cats, takes on Becky, the irascible waitress whose wicked humour provides comic relief. Mackenzie Dunn as Dawn brings experience from productions including Annie, Grease, and Hairspray. These casting choices suggest a production prioritising vocal strength and comedic timing alongside star power.

Rob Mills as Dr. Pomatter continues his reign as one of Australia's most reliable leading men in musical theatre. His recent work in & Juliet and Wicked, combined with his screen presence, makes him ideal for a role requiring both romantic charm and neurotic vulnerability. The character's affair with a patient creates moral complexity that the musical doesn't shy away from, even as it positions the relationship as liberating for Jenna.

The inclusion of John Waters as Joe, the curmudgeonly diner owner who becomes Jenna's unexpected benefactor, adds theatrical gravitas. Waters' 50-year career spanning Breaker Morant, Rush, and his lengthy Play School tenure has made him a beloved figure in Australian entertainment. His casting provides a generational bridge between older audiences, who remember his earlier work, and younger theatregoers drawn by Bassingthwaighte's contemporary profile.

The musical's treatment of domestic abuse requires careful handling. Jenna's husband Earl is "relentlessly horrible," creating a situation where her inability to leave him can strain credibility for audiences unfamiliar with abuse dynamics. However, the musical's already commercial success suggests it navigates this challenging territory effectively, though some critics have found the romantic subplot with Dr. Pomatter "problematic" given the power imbalance between doctor and patient.

The musical's themes of female friendship, resilience, and self-discovery have resonated strongly with past audiences, particularly women seeking stories that balance entertainment with emotional authenticity. The show celebrates "the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose and the beauty of a well-baked pie," language that positions it within the empowerment narratives that define much contemporary musical theatre.

Worth noting is the cultural context for Waitress, which has shifted since its 2016 Broadway premiere. The #MeToo movement and increased awareness of domestic abuse create different frameworks for receiving a story about a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who finds agency through baking and an extramarital affair. Whether the Australian production updates or further contextualises these elements remains to be seen.

This is musical theatre that combines emotional substance with memorable songs and star performances. Waitress promises a production that balances crowd-pleasing entertainment with themes that extend beyond simple escapism.

MELBOURNE DETAILS:
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: From 1 May
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or phone 13 28 49. Groups 8+ call (03) 9662 9571

SYDNEY DETAILS:
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season: From 1 August
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or 136 100
Groups 8+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au

(images: Peter Brew-Bevan)