June Squibb to join the cast of Waitress as “Josie”
June Squibb to join the cast of Waitress as “Josie”
#1June Squibb to join the cast of Waitress as “Josie”
Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:53pm
Has this ever happened before? Changing a major characters gender? This is so interesting... I wonder how this may affect coverage. Like will there still be a male understudy for “joe?” Also will the song now be “take it from an old woman?”
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/June-Squibb-Joins-Cast-of-WAITRESS-as-Josie-Nicolette-Robinson-Extends-Thru-December-9-20181105
Bwayfan292
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/17
#2Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 1:47pmIm guessing this is closing in January then? I mean if they have to change a character and song to get a “name” then they must be pretty desperate
#4Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 2:02pm
Bwayfan292 said: "Im guessing this is closing in January then? I mean if they have to change a character and song to get a “name” then they must be pretty desperate"
It wouldn't surprise me. Nicolette Robinson extending until December 9 would leave room for Bareilles to return for the show's final month.
LxGstv
Broadway Star Joined: 11/22/16
#6Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 2:08pm
Wow, not only are they going to change lines and a song (“Take It From an Old Ma’am” is the altered version according to Waitress’ Instagram) but they’ll have to replace the light up Joe’s Diner sign that hangs above the set. Not to mention, the shirt that they sell at the merch stand that says “Joe’s Pie Diner.”
I’m not against it. It just seems like a lot of unnecessary work and alterations. Why do they need to go through all this trouble? Do they really need a “name” that bad?
#8Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 2:19pmI can't imagine June Squibb was cast because the producers think she is going to be a big ticket seller; I think the creatives likely just think she'd be great and a lot of fun in the part. Plus, if they are able to work out a scenario where the role of the diner owner can successfully be played by a male or female actor, it will give regional and amateur theatres more possibilities for casting the show down the line. Seems like a good idea to me.
TravisOKC
Understudy Joined: 12/14/15
mpd4165
Leading Actor Joined: 8/6/09
#11Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 3:16pm
This is actually interesting, especially considering that I've heard a lot of people pushing for a female Dr. P... (which I personally would find pretty fantastic). June Squib certainly isn't going to save the show but I think I'd really like to see her in the role.
GF21
Understudy Joined: 12/26/16
Bwayfan292
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/17
#13Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 4:09pmThey could just make a small sub plot that joe was her husband who passed and she took over owning the diner, that way they dont need to change any sets
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#14Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 4:11pm
QueenAlice said: "I can't imagine June Squibb was cast because the producers think she is going to be a big ticket seller; I think the creatives likely just think she'd be great and a lot of fun in the part. Plus, if they are able to work out a scenario where the role of the diner owner can successfully be played by a male or female actor, it will give regional and amateur theatres more possibilities for casting the show down the line. Seems like a good idea to me."
In 100% agreement. The people on this board may all know who June Squibb is, but how many people are going to purchase tickets because she is in it (and in a small role)? I do imagine she will be terrific playing the curmudgeon, but I don't plan toes it again.
SomethingPeculiar
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/15/14
#15Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 4:24pm
QueenAlice said: "I can't imagine June Squibb was cast because the producers think she is going to be a big ticket seller; I think the creatives likely just think she'd be great and a lot of fun in the part."
This. I think the casting change is more about the historical significance (or the "gimmick," if you will) of a woman play the role. I like the suggestion that it was the husband's pie shop.
It does seem like they could be getting ready to close in January. Then again, the Weisslers have surprised us before.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#17Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:20pm
This is a really weird choice. They can't believe this is going to move tickets, can they? I forgot that the name of the movie she was nominated for was called Nebraska. Also, it doesn't seem as easy of a fit as gender swaps in other shows might be.
Are the singing demands so intense that they can't stunt cast any of the other parts? I still like the idea of Jennifer Nettles as Jenna. Kelly Clarkson could probably manage it too.
singer234
Broadway Star Joined: 8/31/08
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#19Waitress
Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:50pmIt’s not that people don’t want to play the part. It’s more so who is available. Clarkson is on the Voice and touring. I’d love to see someone else, maybe Tamyra Grey? Take a stab. Or Degarmo? Not sure they’d sell any tickets but never know. But Nettles would be great.
WestEndGal
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/18
#20Waitress
Posted: 11/6/18 at 12:19am
RippedMan said: "It’s not that people don’t want to play the part. It’s more so who is available. Clarkson is on the Voice and touring. I’d love to see someone else, maybe Tamyra Grey? Take a stab. Or Degarmo? Not sure they’d sell any tickets but never know. But Nettles would be great."
In the Waitress casting thread someone in the know said they had lined up Anna Kendrick as Jenna but she pulled out cos she took a tv show, so Nicolette has extended a few more weeks, so they’re definitely trying to line up bigger names who can sell tickets.
#22Waitress
Posted: 11/6/18 at 8:03am
This is definitely a trial run for licensing. Old Joe/Old Josie is an obvious "special guest star" part for actors past a certain age, and having it be a gender-neutral role gives a lot of opportunity for theatres to want to put it on or for seasoned performers- maybe even a few legends- to want to step into an undemanding but fun role.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#23Waitress
Posted: 11/6/18 at 10:05am
Waking up and thinking this over again, it makes even less sense. This is like stunt casting Chicago with Fred Casely played as a Frederica. It's like the difference between color blind casting and color conscious casting. It's weird to have gender blind casting when the character's gender does matter. How are they going to rewrite the part about
losing the baby?
Also, Old Joe's lasciviousness and him wanting Jenna's attention reads differently played by a man than a woman. As does the final resolution.
#24Waitress
Posted: 11/6/18 at 7:59pm
VintageSnarker said: "Waking up and thinking this over again, it makes even less sense. This is like stunt casting Chicago with Fred Casely played as a Frederica. It's like the difference between color blind casting and color conscious casting. It's weird to have gender blind casting when the character's gender does matter. How are they going to rewrite the part about
Also, Old Joe's lasciviousness and him wanting Jenna's attention reads differently played by a man than a woman. As does the final resolution."
Josie can be an old lez. Not really a big deal.
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