Broadway

Broadway comprises 41 theatres, each with 500 or more seats, located in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Waitress the Musical transferred to one of these theatres, the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 25 March 2016, following its run at the American Repertory Theater the previous year. It officially opened with press night on 24 April 2016, and closed on 5 January 2020, when it will have played 33 preview performances and 1544 regular performances,

The production is different to the original American Repertory Theater production, with new songs and running order, and is the definitive version of Waitress the Musical.

Promotional photos for the show were taken at Lexington Candy Shop on 83rd and Lexington on the Upper East Side of New York City.

Cast

Original Broadway Cast

Cast Changes

Ensemble/Swings Replacement & Additions

  • Broadway
TheatreBrooks Atkinson Theatre
Preview25 March 2016
Opening23 April 2016
Closed5 January 2020

Press Night

Press night took place on 24 April 2019, with an afterparty taking place at the Bryant Park Grill on 25th West 40th Street. Food was sponsored by Tyson Foods, featuring Sara Lee pies.

On-Sale Pies

Following the success of selling pies to the audience at the ART, mini Pie Jars were created for Waitress’ launch on Broadway, and continued to be sold throughout its run on Broadway, with special seasonally-themed pies for Pride and Christmas.

Phone Message

As is usual with all Broadway and West End shows, Waitress has a pre-show message to ‘Now Turn Off Your Cellphone‘, recorded especially by Sara Bareilles, set to her song, “Cassiopeia” from her 2013 album, “The Blessed Unrest.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For the first time in Broadway history, a show made an active change to the show to recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October 2017, changing the colour of the waitresses costumes from blue to pink. A special pin badge in the shape of a coffee mug with the Waitress logo and a pink ribbon was also released, with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen® Greater New York City, as was a limited edition pie jar. The change was repeated in October 2018 and October 2019.

Promotional Slots

The cast of Waitress have performed on TV shows, to promote the show.

Tony Awards 2016

Waitress the Musical and its creative team received four nominations at the 70th Annual Antoinette Perry Awards, known as the Tony Awards, in 2016:

  • Best Musical
  • Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical