Broadway hit Waitress has officially arrived in Australia; bringing plenty of heart, humour and pie-filled chaos to Her Majesty’s Theatre. Led by Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Jenna and Rob Mills as Dr Pomatter, the production blends romance, friendship and self-discovery into a feel-good musical that never takes itself too seriously.
At the centre of the story is Jenna, a waitress and talented pie maker stuck in an unhappy marriage while dreaming of something more for herself. When an unexpected pregnancy, a baking competition and a new romance collide, Jenna begins to imagine what a different future might look like. Featuring music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, the show balances emotional moments with comedy and charm throughout.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte delivers a standout performance in the lead role, bringing warmth and vulnerability to Jenna while sharing fantastic onstage chemistry with Rob Mills. Together, the pair anchor the production; making the emotional moments land without losing the show’s lighter energy.
Around them, the supporting cast often steals scenes entirely – Mackenzie Dunn’s Dawn is consistently hilarious in looking to find love, Gareth Isaac’s Ogie earns some of the biggest laughs of the night, and John Waters brings plenty of heart to Joe as the owner of the diner. Rounded out the cast is fellow waitress Becky (Gabriyel Thomas), diner chef Cal (John Xintavelonis), and Jenna’s good for nothing husband Earl (Keanu Gonzalez).
While a musical centred around pies might sound like a difficult sell on paper, Waitress commits fully to its premise and ends up being the best possible version of what that concept could be. Some songs hit harder than others, but the overall production succeeds thanks to its strong cast, humour and sincerity. The set design is incredibly dynamic and well planned out, reflecting the overall chaos of Jenna’s life (and life in general).
Waitress is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne until 19 July before heading to the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 1 August. Tickets and full session details are available via the official Waitress website.
Photo Credit: Jeff Busby