Waitress - Adelphi Theatre / U.K. Tour / Cinema

It's nothing new though is it. It was the same for Wicked. Idina opened it, but then came the years of British talent. It would've been nice for someone like Louise Dearman or Rebecca Trehearn to open it, but I'm sure they'll get their chance

I saw her do it in July. And was not impressed at all. She can sing the score - not questioning - and she's got a very lovely voice. But she literally walked through the show and didn't act at all, which was so infuriating. So for them to bring her over, instead of casting one of the 700 Brits that could have played it is frustrating to say the least.

I agree. They should have followed the Broadway example with 'Pretty Woman'. A good leading role for an American actress and they gave it to an American actress.

Oh.

I don't think that really holds water because the issue is that there are far more roles and opportunities for American actresses on Broadway than there are for British actresses in the West End. Which is why this sort of thing counts over here more than it does there.

Across the road from where this will be is Dreamgirls, where two out of the three Effies are American. All three of the lead Dreamgirls are American. The Curtis was American.

Up the road is Tina, where the lead is American.

It's all part of the exchange programme. Look at how many Brits are on Broadway right now. Yes most of them are in plays, but the same rules apply. The entire cast of The Ferryman are on Broadway, and thats alot of people. A

nd as far as there being more opportunities on Broadway, thats not quite true.

But it means we get to see some leading ladies who we would otherwise have to go to New York to see, which not everyone who wants to can necessarily afford to do. You're basically arguing that performers should only be given opportunities in their country of origin, which I think is ludicrous.

And of course it works both ways - many British leading ladies have done Broadway, and deservedly so. Nothing does or should stop any performer from making their mark on both sides of the Atlantic.

Musicalmarge is right though.

It's a very "nice" show. That's about it. Even with coach parties it won't last.

I agree with this, I think. Although I deffo see both sides of the argument. I’ve never seen McPhee in the role and I was Team Ivy all the way in Smash so have no feelings about her in Waitress, but quite rightly not many, if any, people (on this board at least) have been condemning the likes of Patti Lupone in Company and Suzie Mathers, Willemijn Verkaik etc. in Wicked, and McPhee has played the role on Broadway after all, so I say she should get a fair chance over here.


But then I also think that as McPhee isn’t really a household name at all over here, her casting seems a bit random, and tons of other British actors would’ve been suitable too, which makes me reject the idea that it was cast this way purely to bolster ticket sales. Seems more likely that they wanted a safe pair of hands to open the show over here (a la Book of Mormon). Besides, we’ve heard plenty of rumours of a ‘star’ taking on the role for a short run, before someone else takes over.


Oh well, I’m still looking forward to this one opening as I love the music and think the story is relatively fluffy but also quite powerful and apt for the moment. Bring on the rest of the cast announcements, I say.

Jessie would have been great but would she want to reprise a role after a couple of years. If she had been going to come over for anything then it might have been beautiful. Hopefully she does a West End run one day.

Quite a few (understandably) miffed British actresses talking about this on twitter.

McPhee won’t sell tickets and by all accounts isn’t up to it. A shame indeed.

And yet when we get a British cast we get.... the cast of 9 to 5.