Next Jenna in Waitress- Page 2

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/7/18 at 7:18pm

VotePeron said: "No matter how well regarded she may be, she is not making the show any money. The show has built itself a celebrity crutch, and needs one to survive. They’ll have to find a name, or the show will close from money or pressure from other shows needing a home. Really hoping Sara returns to close it out, as I didn’t care for Nicolettes performance at all."

I had similar feelings about Nicolette as well when I saw her last week. Her SUTBM was v emotional but the performance overall (and show as a whole also) just felt a bit flat. And jmo obviously but I don’t think she’s vocally as strong as the other Jennas (Disclaimer: I’ve not seen Stephanie). The theater was by no means full though so that was probably a factor too .... like you say, I agree they probably do need a name now, but I don’t think that’s so easy to do. They need to be famous enough (with the requisite singing talent to sing the score) to make a difference to the box office receipts, but anyone really famous probably wouldn’t do the show. Sara is an exception obviously. 

As for how well the show needs to do to survive, idk what is profitable for them, so it’s hard to know. I can’t imagine it’s a super expensive musical to run as the set isn’t too elaborate and the cast is relatively small so maybe it’s current box office receipts are still acceptable. But they’re the lowest they’ve ever been right now, and have dropped over 30% the last 5 or 6 weeks. I’m sure the ptb must be a little concerned. Hopefully things will pick up in the next few weeks because I’d miss this show so much if it goes   

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 10/8/18 at 10:16am

Lea Michele could actually be great, and it could be a good way to try to re-establish herself as a serious musical theatre actor.

I don't think Darren Criss would step into a supporting role in a long-running show on the heels of winning the Emmy for a star performance in a prestigious miniseries. And Lea would sell well enough on her own.

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 10/8/18 at 11:58am

Lea Michele would probably be a very good Jenna, and this is coming from someone who isn't even particularly a fan of her as a performer. But does anyone think she'd actually be willing to be a replacement?

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/8/18 at 12:01pm

Lea Michele starts tour November 1st, and her tour goes to the UK in December.

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 10/8/18 at 12:14pm

Bwayfan292 said: "Lea Michele starts tour November 1st, and her tour goes to the UK in December."

The tour ends December 7th. Unless she has something else going on we don't know about, she'd theoretically be available.

[BroadwayBear2]

Posted: 10/27/18 at 10:23am

Nicolette is set to leave Waitress on 11/18/2018, so just about 3 weeks--and we have no new Jenna announced. Any rumors or developments?

 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 10/27/18 at 11:28am

I think that they will be fine through the holidays withouta celebrity. Stephanie is phenomenal in the role and it would be amazing if they gave her a run during the holidays.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/27/18 at 4:35pm

Stephanie needs to be given a nice run as Jenna, like several months. Have her play the role through February/March at least. Bring in a name or bring back Sara to Jessie to close the show in the summer.

[lightsarebrightonbroadway]

Posted: 10/27/18 at 4:57pm

BroadwayBear2 said: "Nicolette is set to leave Waitress on 11/18/2018, so just about 3 weeks--and we have no new Jenna announced. Any rumors or developments?

"

I have a friend in the cast and they truly don't know yet. There's talk going around that producers are actually trying to tap Anna Kendrick for the role and have been thinking about her since the conspiracy that she was meant to join the show last January. 

[rjm516]

Posted: 10/27/18 at 6:36pm

If the show is going to close soon I hope they are putting the focus on finding a great Jenna for London. I was crushed when Katherine McPhee's announcement last month wasn't that.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 10/29/18 at 3:30pm

Rumor has it Nicolette will be extending through the holidays. I think the show right now is the best it has ever been. It’s rare to find a show these days that gets better the longer it runs.

[natashalost]

Posted: 10/29/18 at 5:03pm

A friend on mine was at the show last night and Nicolette said that November 18th will not be her last show. 

[GreeneStreet]

Posted: 10/29/18 at 5:59pm

The plans for the next jenna fell through, so they need to find a new one quickly

[starcatchers]

Posted: 10/29/18 at 7:35pm

Please, in the name of all that is holy, keep Lea Michele far away.

[AntV]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 4:12am

Any other casting news? I want to see Nicolette and kinda want to see Al Roker but also want to wait if they have another stunt cast planned after him, or even a new Pomater.

How about Zachary Levi as Pomater?

Updated On: 10/30/18 at 04:12 AM

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:23pm

InTheBathroom1 said: "I think that they will be fine through the holidays withouta celebrity. Stephanie is phenomenal in the role and it would be amazing if they gave her a run during the holidays."

What do we count as fine now? I’m worried about the show ngl. It’s grosses dropped considerably when Kat McPhee left and they haven’t really recovered. I just think it’s so tough to get a named star with the talent to boot. I don’t looooove Lea Michele but I think she’s super talented and it would be interesting to see her in the role. Anna Kendrick would be a huge coup and would probably bring a huge spike in box office (even if I personally really dislike her voice and don’t get the hype lol) but is this really likely?! 

I thought Nicolette was/is a good Jenna but I wasn’t wowed when I saw her, and I worry that she’s not got that star power the show needs right now. I’m not sure even the holiday spike will be enough if she continues for a few more weeks. 

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:28pm

It was almost Anna Kendrick but she booked a tv gig I believe.  Now I believe that Nicolette is much more open ended.  

Updated On: 10/30/18 at 05:28 PM

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:32pm

rjm516 said: "If the show is going to close soon I hope they are putting the focus on finding a great Jenna for London. I was crushed when Katherine McPhee's announcement last month wasn't that."

Apparently her voice is in a pretty bad way right now and she’s considering surgery  Respect that she didn’t have a single sick day during her 4/5 month broadway stint but it definitely took its toll. I guess that’s understandable when you go from occasional singing (with her concentrating on her tv show these past few years) to full on 8 shows a week, however well you prepare yourself. I wonder how much that was a factor in the London decision because she was definitely in discussions about doing it. I imagine the length of contract and commitment needed for a West End run was a factor also. Shame because I think she would have been a perfect choice. Very interested to see who they will end up picking for London.  

Updated On: 10/30/18 at 05:32 PM

[GreeneStreet]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:36pm

Both times Sara has been in the show has been last minute, the first time Caissie Levy was already in the role and was gearing up for it but dropped out last second to take Frozen, causing Sara to go in super fast.

The second time, Ana kendrick was supposed to take over but with press with a simple favor and her new Hilton hotel deal she had to drop it. So again, Sara had to save the show.

Now the next jenna also dropped, so i wouldnt be suprised it we see Nicolette extend through the holidays with sara closing the show.

At least thats what my source has told me

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:44pm

^ Thats interesting about Anna Kendrick, I never knew she was a possibility, let alone 3 times! It shows that tv gigs /movies (and Hilton gigs, WTF!) still take priority over Broadway for the bigger stars, which is a shame I’m not sure I can even see Anna as Jenna though, so I’m not too upset over this, other than I think it woulda be a great boost for the show. 

[MannPhan24601]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 5:53pm

I heard that Meghan Linsey was going to replace Jessie then got her highly publicized spider bite that caused a long term face injury . She posted that SUBM video recently and said she's been in talks with the Weisslers for years on doing a show. Sara tweeted the SUTM video

[TravisOKC]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 6:01pm

AntV said: "Any other casting news? I want to see Nicolette and kinda want to see Al Roker but also want to wait if they have another stunt cast planned after him, or even a new Pomater.

How about Zachary Levi as Pomater?"

Zachary Levi would be great...and then bring in Mandy Moore??

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 6:06pm

I brought this up earlier in the thread, but Im aware followers are not everything, but Nicolette has 55.7K instagram followers while Meghan has 48.4K.

I don't think she would be a huge draw for the grosses. I would think she would bring in about the same amount of money thats being brought in now.

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 6:15pm

Bwayfan292 said: "I brought this up earlier in the thread, but Im aware followers are not everything, but Nicolette has 55.7K instagram followers while Meghan has 48.4K.

I don't think she would be a huge draw for the grosses. I would think she would bring in about the same amount of money thats being brought in now."

I totally agree. She was always a weird potential choice for me, and she’s not really known at all. 

 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/30/18 at 7:35pm

If Mandy Moore could muster up the power to belt through SUTBM, I’d love to see her tackle it