Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:15pm

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/from-carol-king-to-a-waitress-jessie-mueller-takes-on-a-new-musical/?smid=nytimesarts&_r=0

From Carol King to a “Waitress:” Jessie Mueller Takes on a New Musical
By HEALY NOVEMBER 27, 2014 1:12 PMNovember 27, 2014 1:12 pm Comment

Jessie Mueller, who won a best actress Tony Award in June for her acclaimed performance in the title role of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” has found her next big theater project. She will star in the new musical “Waitress,” based on the 2007 film about a put-upon southern diner server (played by Keri Russell in the movie) who has a gift for making inventive pies and shares her thoughts about life as she prepares them.

The musical, which features a score by the singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, is expected to have its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., during its 2015-16 season. If all goes well there, the show could move to Broadway; the veteran theater producers Barry and Fran Weissler (“Chicago”) are developing the musical with its director, Diane Paulus, with whom they collaborated on “Pippin” at the American Repertory Theater. “Pippin” moved to Broadway in 2013.

Ms. Mueller’s involvement in “Waitress” was disclosed this week by two theater executives with knowledge of her plans, and who divulged the still-confidential casting on condition of anonymity because the musical’s team was not ready to make an official announcement. Ms. Mueller, who began her career in Chicago and has become one of the most talked-about musical theater actresses in New York in recent years, could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Ms. Paulus, who is also artistic director of the American Repertory Theater, did not respond to e-mail seeking comment, nor did a spokeswoman for the theater.

Updated On: 11/27/14 at 01:15 PM

[ampi2]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:21pm

that's pretty cool if true. I love the movie!

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:22pm

ah so exciting! I thought this was Laura Benanti's project though =/

[rjm516]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:47pm

"two theater executives with knowledge of her plans, and who divulged the still-confidential casting on condition of anonymity because the musical’s team was not ready to make an official announcement."

What jerks!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:52pm

I dont really see her in the role, that's really disappointing. I thought it was Laura Benanti's thing.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:24pm

As much as I love Benanti, Mueller is better for the role.
I'm excited for this show!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:33pm

Yeah, I think Benanti tends to come off as too self assured for the role.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:57pm

Maybe Laura could be a replacement for king and I If it runs a while. She needs to be back on broadway though.

[jennaisjamazing]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 3:03pm

In her show people interviewed, Laura Benanti said she was coming back to broadway in 2016. I assumed it was for Waitress. Now that it's not, does anyone know what it could be?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 3:12pm

^Best Little Whorehouse?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 4:45pm

I know it's far fetched: Parade Revival? If the concert goes well?

[Curious3]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 4:58pm

Not being familiar with Sara Bareilles but based only on the brief clip of her singing a ballad from the proposed show, I am not at all impressed. I very much enjoyed the movie. Wonderful characters, a cute but somewhat down story with a happy end and very COLORFUL design, I wish it success. Hope they keep that adorable song from the film "Gonna Bake a Pie With a Heart in the Middle", but it would seem unlikely since we have a totally different composer/lyricist.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 11/27/14 at 5:24pm

OMG!! I wonder what happened to Benanti!! Maybe she dropped out? I think Jessie would be better suited for this show anyway but I still want Laura back on Broadway!!

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:19pm

Well does anyone have an exact quote stating that Benanti was gonna do Waitress? I thought she just said she had a project for 2016.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:27pm

I absolutely adore Mueller. I need to go watch the movie now to see what it's all about!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:31pm

"Well does anyone have an exact quote stating that Benanti was gonna do Waitress? I thought she just said she had a project for 2016."

Kelli O'Hara did once joked about both her and Laura starring in a musical written by Sara Bareilles.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:43pm

What are Benanti's commitments to NASHVILLE? I don't watch it, so don't know her status, but I was wondering if maybe that got in the way of her being involved in this.
I, too, cannot wait to see her back on stage though. She's just great.

Updated On: 11/28/14 at 01:43 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 2:44pm

It was reported that she had a multi episode arc this season.

[jennaisjamazing]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 2:58pm

In Laura's Show People she said she was coming back to Broadway in 2016. In Kelli O'Hara's Show People she mentioned that Benanti had been doing all the workshops and readings for Waitress. So I assumed that was the project she was talking about for Broadway.

[Johnnycantdecide]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:08pm

Benanti in Whorehouse would get me to that theater so fast...

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:16pm

This sounds like an interesting project. I really like a lot of Bareilles' work and of course Jessie Mueller will undoubtedly be wonderful. I haven't seen the film but the synopsis sounds like an interesting story with a lot of musical potential.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:51pm

they have been talking about a My Fair Lady revival for a while now...maybe thats Benanti's show? Or Ever After? or maybe she just got fired or left the project

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:54pm

Benanti has mentioned MY FAIR LADY as a dream role for many years now. I can't think of anyone I'd rather see play Eliza, but I went through this already when I wanted her for THE KING & I bad, only to see Kelli O'Hara being cast (to be fair, I think Ms. O'Hara will be lovely). I wouldn't be surprised if O'Hara ends up as Eliza on Broadway.
It'd be fantastic to see Benanti do a new show though.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 4:06pm

^Well, Kelli had already played Eliza before back in 2007 with the New York Philharmonic. Though I would love to see Jessie or Laura in the role whenever Clive Davis has it ready!

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 11/28/14 at 4:56pm

Let's not forget Laura Osnes! she's be lovely in the role too!