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Post by sparky5000 on Jul 16, 2019 15:36:00 GMT
Super sad 😭 but grateful the show has run on Broadway as long as it has. I’ve been lucky to see the show in NYC quite a few times these past few years and it’s always my go to feel good musical (we all have one of them!) - I thought the end might be coming because the show hasn’t performed well on broadway since last autumn onwards but it doesn’t make the news any less gutting. Fingers crossed the same fate doesn’t befall the London production anytime soon because not sure I can take both productions closing within weeks / months of each other! 😩
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Post by andrew on Jul 16, 2019 15:42:34 GMT
It recouped years ago, arguably it's had the natural lifecycle we want as supporters of theatre. Successful shows playing for a few years, generating a sizeable profit for investors then bowing out to allow new things through. Unfortunately there's been a fairly severe cull on Broadway recently, so Waitress closing is adding to the slightly depressed mood on the great white way...
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Post by sparky5000 on Jul 16, 2019 16:33:08 GMT
Did anybody get a chance to see Olivia Moore as Jenna in Saturday’s matinee?? Any reviews? Wish I could have seen it! I’ve seen the show 4 times now, first 3 with Katharine McPhee and the fourth time with Lucie Jones this Friday just passed. Lucie has a gorgeous voice but I must say I prefer Katherine’s performance and characterisation. Saw Laura Baldwin as Dawn the first 2 times, she was obviously brilliant (can’t wait til she’s back), Olivia Moore played Dawn the third time. She did seem to struggle a bit towards the end of When He Sees Me but otherwise did amazing... and I would take her any day over Ashley Roberts, who I saw on Friday. She really goes for it, I’ll give her that, but it was just not good. Her voice was too low, she couldn’t hit the notes, was out of breath most of the time and is just so wrong for the part. As someone else said earlier, it was nice to have an Ogie who can sing! I was pleasantly surprised by Blake Harrison. I did love Jack McBrayer’s performance, his physical comedy and his timing were excellent. It did seem like Blake was not as dynamic or maybe still settling into the role. However Jack struggled with the singing as much as Ashley 😂 while Blake had no problems. David Hunter is brilliant as Doctor Pomatter. He’s delivery is spot on. I hope he stays in the role for the rest of the run! I do think he had better chemistry with Katharine but maybe that will come with Lucie in time. Really hope this gets extended again through late December/early January so I can bring my sister. No sadly I didn’t see Olivia because they never seem to announce the understudies beforehand (even if the absence is scheduled), and I’d really like to see both Sarah and Olivia as Jenna. Be v interesting to see Olivia also because she’s only about 22 I think and it will be really interesting to see how the dynamic of the show is different with such a young Jenna. |
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Post by andrew on Jul 16, 2019 17:04:07 GMT
For those who want to see her/avoid her: Ashley posted on instagram yesterday that she has one month left in the show.
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Post by impossibleprincess73 on Jul 16, 2019 17:06:00 GMT
Hmmm I'm going on Wed 14th Aug, wonder if her 'one month' covers that week.  |
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Post by Jon on Jul 16, 2019 18:25:48 GMT
Nearly 4 years is nothing to be sniffed at, I’m sure it’ll have a life touring
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Post by sparky5000 on Jul 17, 2019 12:09:53 GMT
If you search for Olivia Moore and She Used To Be Mine on YouTube someone uploaded her SUTBM from last Sat’s matinee. Seems like she’s gone for the Kat version. I think her vocals are a little bit shaky (which is understandable because she was probably nervous as anything) and not quite on the same level as Kat’s or Lucie’s, but she still sounds good 😍 and you can feel the emotion in her singing 😰👍
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 12:57:26 GMT
It will have run for 3 years and nearly 9 months on Broadway which IMO is a very good run. It must have turned a nice profit there and announcing a closing date nearing 6 months away gives it a long closing window to pull in "returners" and those wanting to see it ensuring good business across that period. It runs over the holiday period so closing date mates sense to me.
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Post by ahaz on Jul 17, 2019 12:59:36 GMT
If you search for Olivia Moore and She Used To Be Mine on YouTube someone uploaded her SUTBM from last Sat’s matinee. Seems like she’s gone for the Kat version. I think her vocals are a little bit shaky (which is understandable because she was probably nervous as anything) and not quite on the same level as Kat’s or Lucie’s, but she still sounds good 😍 and you can feel the emotion in her singing 😰👍 Just listened and I agree! I have huge respect for her, she graduated and went almost straight into Heathers where she covered Veronica and Heather Mac, I saw her as Veronica and she was amazing, and to then go straight from that into Waitress and from all reviews, seemed to do a brilliant job as Jenna! |
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Post by 49thand8th on Jul 17, 2019 14:05:15 GMT
And it'll do wonderfully in regional houses.
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Post by d'James on Jul 17, 2019 22:29:11 GMT
Yeah. Let’s hope they find a musical with a heartless name to replace this one, just like they did poor Joe.
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Post by d'James on Jul 18, 2019 9:31:55 GMT
I’ve finally got some time to write down my thoughts.
It’s quite a nice show. Nothing special, just nice.
You know it’s Sara Bareilles music instantly. This is a good thing as she is a very talented songwriter.
Sadly (after a break) I have discovered that my David Hunter allergy is as strong as ever.
The supporting cast are very strong. Unfortunately the comedy falls very flat and seems extremely unnatural. It feels very over-rehearsed and very much acted which is a shame because the material could be funny in the hands of natural comedic actors. (Blake Harrison was the exception, unsurprisingly.)
I’ve already said what I have to say about Ashley Roberts. Lucie Jones has a fantastic voice and was very likeable in the role.
The ‘big number’ had been overhyped for me so it felt a bit underwhelming, which is a shame because if I had heard nothing about it, it might’ve been a wow moment. (I avoid listening to soundtracks but I guess I should avoid all theatre chat in future haha.)
The set was fun and effective and the band were great.
As I’ve also mentioned, I REALLY hated that she changed the name of the diner. That left a sour taste in the mouth at the end.
The foyer smelt nice which was good because we had to spend so much time in it. It is the slowest getting in and out of a theatre I have ever experienced - I genuinely don’t know what the problem was. It’s also a clever ploy to get you spend a fortune to buy a thimble full of pie.
3 Stars I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2019 9:59:05 GMT
I am so excited for this coming season
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Post by freckles on Jul 18, 2019 12:22:24 GMT
I’ve finally got some time to write down my thoughts. As I’ve also mentioned, I REALLY hated that she changed the name of the diner. That left a sour taste in the mouth at the end. Regarding the diner, isn't the point that she re-names it after her daughter; the catalyst for her standing up for herself and taking her life in a different direction? OK, the legacy of the diner was a HUGE help, but she highligts her pregnancy and birth as the trigger for change quite a lot, and plucks up the courage to leave Earl before she has opened the letter from Joe.
I thought it was quite sweet. I'm sure Joe says all he asked was to have a pie named after him.
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Post by d'James on Jul 18, 2019 12:43:51 GMT
I’ve finally got some time to write down my thoughts. As I’ve also mentioned, I REALLY hated that she changed the name of the diner. That left a sour taste in the mouth at the end. Regarding the diner, isn't the point that she re-names it after her daughter; the catalyst for her standing up for herself and taking her life in a different direction? OK, the legacy of the diner was a HUGE help, but she highligts her pregnancy and birth as the trigger for change quite a lot, and plucks up the courage to leave Earl before she has opened the letter from Joe.
I thought it was quite sweet. I'm sure Joe says all he asked was to have a pie named after him.
Maybe he assumed she wouldn’t rename it because, why would she?! It doesn’t help that I really don’t like the name Lulu. Was it explained why she called her that, I assumed it was her mum’s name but I didn’t hear that in the show. |
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Post by sparky5000 on Jul 18, 2019 14:00:31 GMT
I’ve finally got some time to write down my thoughts. It’s quite a nice show. Nothing special, just nice. You know it’s Sara Bareilles music instantly. This is a good thing as she is a verytalented songwriter. Sadly (after a break) I have discovered that my David Hunter allergy is as strongas ever. The supporting cast are very strong. Unfortunately the comedy falls very flat andseems extremely unnatural. It feels very over-rehearsed and very much actedwhich is a shame because the material could be funny in the hands of naturalcomedic actors. (Blake Harrison was the exception, unsurprisingly.) I’ve already said what I have to say about Ashley Roberts. Lucie Jones has afantastic voice and was very likeable in the role. The ‘big number’ had been overhyped for me so it felt a bit underwhelming,which is a shame because if I had heard nothing about it, it might’ve been a wowmoment. (I avoid listening to soundtracks but I guess I should avoid all theatrechat in future haha.) The set was fun and effective and the band were great. As I’ve also mentioned, I REALLY hated that she changed the name of the diner.That left a sour taste in the mouth at the end. The foyer smelt nice which was good because we had to spend so much time init. It is the slowest getting in and out of a theatre I have ever experienced - Igenuinely don’t know what the problem was. It’s also a clever ploy to get youspend a fortune to buy a thimble full of pie. 3 Stars I guess. d’James Lol what is it that makes you allergic David Hunter?! 😆 Tbh I’m not a massive fan of his voice (it’s too nasally for me) but I do think he’s a strong Dr P comedy-wise, and I did think he had really good chemistry with Kat. |
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Post by freckles on Jul 18, 2019 14:27:28 GMT
Regarding the diner, isn't the point that she re-names it after her daughter; the catalyst for her standing up for herself and taking her life in a different direction? OK, the legacy of the diner was a HUGE help, but she highligts her pregnancy and birth as the trigger for change quite a lot, and plucks up the courage to leave Earl before she has opened the letter from Joe.
I thought it was quite sweet. I'm sure Joe says all he asked was to have a pie named after him.
Maybe he assumed she wouldn’t rename it because, why would she?! It doesn’t help that I really don’t like the name Lulu. Was it explained why she called her that, I assumed it was her mum’s name but I didn’t hear that in the show. Why does it have to be explained? Maybe she just liked the name! Of course, she should have checked with you first . |
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Post by amp09 on Jul 18, 2019 17:53:24 GMT
Free Waitress ticket tonight if anyone can get there in time. Message me for details.
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Post by d'James on Jul 19, 2019 11:36:45 GMT
Maybe he assumed she wouldn’t rename it because, why would she?! It doesn’t help that I really don’t like the name Lulu. Was it explained why she called her that, I assumed it was her mum’s name but I didn’t hear that in the show. Why does it have to be explained? Maybe she just liked the name! Of course, she should have checked with you first . Typical board superiority. (And you got three likes - round of applause. No wonder the old regulars are deserting the place. Why does it have to be explained? Because it’s a completely random name that no one other than comedy acts or sixties pop stars are called. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2019 12:35:30 GMT
I really don't get why it might need an explanation though. I know people in fiction go a bundle for naming their children after dead relatives or lost heroes or giving them otherwise meaningful names, but people in real life very often give their children names that they just like the sound of and that don't have any sort of family history behind them. It's one thing to just not like the name Lulu, that's completely fair (and I'm with you), but it really does seem a bit weird to have an assumption that it has to have come from somewhere or mean something.
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Jul 19, 2019 14:03:06 GMT
Maybe he assumed she wouldn’t rename it because, why would she?! It doesn’t help that I really don’t like the name Lulu. Was it explained why she called her that, I assumed it was her mum’s name but I didn’t hear that in the show. Why does it have to be explained? Maybe she just liked the name! Of course, she should have checked with you first . Rude |
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Post by freckles on Jul 19, 2019 14:12:23 GMT
Why does it have to be explained? Maybe she just liked the name! Of course, she should have checked with you first . Rude
I'm sorry, it really wasn't intended to be!
d'James, no offence was intended. We're both just expressing an opinion.
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Post by johnie21 on Jul 19, 2019 15:07:37 GMT
I’ve heard Waitress has been extended till Jan 4th. Didn’t think it would extend after that.
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Post by sophizoey on Jul 19, 2019 15:24:06 GMT
I’ve heard Waitress has been extended till Jan 4th. Didn’t think it would extend after that. Maybe the West End and Broadway productions closing (almost) simultaneously? (Almost because we don't have Sunday shows in West End) |
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Post by d'James on Jul 19, 2019 22:22:10 GMT
I'm sorry, it really wasn't intended to be!
d'James, no offence was intended. We're both just expressing an opinion.
Please explain how ‘Of course, she should have checked with you first’ is an opinion. |
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