Fresh outta the oven and served up hot to an adoring audience at Her Majesty’s Theatre (complete with the mouth-watering aroma of a fresh-baked pie wafting through the air), Waitress the Musical arrives in Melbourne as a sugary slice of wholesome musical theatre – but will you want to go back for a second helping?
Adapted from the 2007 cult indie flick by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress made its New York debut in 2016 with a female-led creative team (a first in the history of Broadway). That line-up included direction by Diane Paulus, a book by Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro and songs by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (whose knack for writing catchy, melodic pop hits are on full display here).
Sprinkle in a tale of female friendship, dreaming big and finding courage – with some sugar, butter and flour, of course – and it’s no surprise Waitress ran for four successful years, with a stint on London’s West End, too.
What is Waitress the Musical about?
Set in the American South, Waitress follows the story of Jenna (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), a small-town waitress and baker who works at Joe’s Pie Diner, alongside her friends Becky (Gabriyel Thomas) and Dawn (Mackenzie Dunn). She’s unhappily married to the ghastly Earl (a truly brutish man played with a villainous sneer by Keanu Gonzalez), but upon discovering she’s pregnant, ends up in an (increasingly awkward) affair with her obstetrician, Dr Pomatter (Rob Mills). Mix in a looming pie-making contest that Jenna sees as her one-way ticket out of a thankless job and controlling marriage, and you’ve got a recipe for freedom against the odds.
It feels as though a few key plot ingredients are missing – patient-doctor ethics aside, the relationship between Jenna and Dr Pomatter is one that’s hard to root for (especially when it’s revealed he’s also married). The pie-making contest – referenced frequently enough to foreshadow it as Jenna’s triumphant cherry-on-top moment – never actually eventuates. And for a story that leans heavily on female friendship, why do each of Jenna, Becky and Dawn’s storylines involve a man?
Who are the stars of Waitress the Musical?
Seasoned performer and all-round legend of stage and screen, Bassingthwaighte, has the chops to carry and convey the inner turmoil, determination and hope of a character like Jenna. And her performance of the show-stopping number ‘She Used To Be Mine’ is the emotional crescendo of the second act. Would it have been nice to see an up-and-coming Aussie talent in the role? Sure – especially in the scenes with Gonzalez, where the age gap between the two feels obvious – but there’s no denying Bassingthwaighte’s star power.
Mills is adorkably charming as the Dr Pomatter, while Thomas is a particularly commanding stage presence with a beautiful tone to her voice. Dunn and Gareth Isaac (in the role of Dawn’s love interest, Ogie) lean heavily into the comedic elements of their characters, much to the delight of the audience, and John Waters as Joe lends gravitas to the production. A special shout-out must be made to Elandrah Tavares, who eats up every scene she’s in as Nurse Norma.
What’s the highlight of Waitress the Musical?
It really is a marvel to watch the baking scenes come to life on stage during Waitress – the intricate choreography playing out with the same precision it takes to bake a perfect pie. There are eggs cracking, clouds of flour flying and pastry being rolled out at the same time as high notes are hit and the set seamlessly transitions in the background. The set design by Scott Pask – especially the diner – is giving those classic small-town-off-the-highway vibes, while Suttirat Anne Larlarb’s normcore costumes complement. And the onstage band, led by musical director and conductor Geoffrey Castles, is great.
Who will like Waitress the Musical?
Musical theatre die-hards who have been waiting for Waitress to finally land in Australia will not be disappointed with this pleasant version. And, with its endearing cast, toe-tapping tunes (hello, ‘When He Sees Me’ – a song I actually knew as a trending TikTok sound!) and uplifting finale, it’s sure to be a genuine crowd-pleaser for many. One slice of ‘Sweet-Yet-Satisfying Pie’, coming right up.
'Waitress the Musical' is on now at Her Majesty's Theatre until July 12, 2026. For more information and to book tickets, head to the website.
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