Omg yay that’s awesome, I absolutely love Katharine as Jenna! Surprised and a bit sad it isn’t Sara but I’ll def be going back to see the show again before it closes with Katharine!
Also I saw her a few times in London also as Jenna (where I’m living now) and her vocals were insane and even better than when I saw her in NYC.
EspinosaRoscioliBlock said: "Katharine McPhee? Yikes I hope not. Love her as a performer butabsolutely not a fan of her Jenna. She’s too boring. Too safe.You wouldn’t think they’d bringher back especially after her lukewarm reception as Jenna in London...."
Ummm that’s just not true - she got great reviews and a great reception in London! The only naysayers were really beforehand when some fans were hoping the Jenna was going to be British!
I’m really sad at how people are reacting to this. Yes, Sara is a performer. Yes, she has acted. But when it comes to Waitress she is first and foremost a member of the creative team. I’m sure they considered many different options before they landed on McPhee.
Regardless who is playing Jenna, it feels wonderful to have Drew and Christopher back in the production. With no disrespect to any of the wonderful Dr. Poms and Ogies that were also there, it’s feels right that we have these guys back again until the end.
KathyNYC2 said: "Regardless who is playing Jenna, it feels wonderful to have Drew and Christopher back in the production. With no disrespect to any of the wonderful Dr. Poms and Ogies that were also there, it’s feels right that we have these guys back again until the end."
Absolutely agree. Drew is even an OG cast member from the ART run which is amazing.
magictodo123 said: "I’m really sad at how people are reacting to this. Yes, Sara is a performer. Yes, she has acted. But when it comes to Waitress she is first and foremost a member of the creative team. I’m sure they considered many different options before they landed on McPhee."
So the rumour is apparently that Sara and Gavin Creel are doing a limited run as Jenna and Dr P in London at the end of Jan (for maybe 6 weeks)! I assume this is to give the show a financial boost and keep it going in the west end . If this turns out to be true it now makes sense to me why Sara won’t also be closing the show in NYC as I doubt shed want to commit to doing both. On that basis I think Kat was always probably their top choice to close the show in nyc if Sara or a new person wasn’t going to (and assuming they asked Jessie and she didn’t want to). She’s a great Jenna imo (and was even better in London), she’s played Jenna for 8/9 months now so knows it like the back of her hand and she won’t need much rehearsal time, she’ll be pretty much performing with the same cast she performed with last year (Drew, Natasha, Christopher and Caitlin!), she’s reliable and she also did v well for the show commercially. So yeah makes total sense to me.
Katharine is literally the most bland and lifeless Jenna I’ve ever seen but she was in SMASH so yay.... again I don’tunderstand this choice. So uninspired. I know I’m being harsh but I saw her on Broadway and in London and I just don’t get the appeal.
I have no opinion on McPhee (she has a lovely voice, i've only ever seen waitress with Shoshana Bean and she was out of this world) but she got great reviews in London- a town that would be eager to criticize an American TV star. I wouldnt be surprised if she gets nominated for an Olivier award-- within weeks of the end of Waitress' run. I dont understand the issue here.
JDonaghy4 said: "I have no opinion on McPhee (she has a lovely voice, i've only ever seen waitress with Shoshana Bean and she was out of this world) but she got great reviews in London- a town that would be eager to criticize an American TV star. I wouldnt be surprised if she gets nominated for an Olivier award-- within weeks of the end of Waitress' run. I dont understand the issue here."
I'm with you. I'm so over people being disrespectful to her. I even saw a comment online "april fools! now tell us who the real closing jenna is". I know, I know--don't listen to the trolls on twitter (because yes, that's actually what they are and even though I hate being called a troll because I'm not one, that's what these people are). But it's SO annoying. Although I do have to accept the fact that not everyone will be happy. I just wish they'd at least be respectful.
McPhee has an incredible voice, but...I was hoping for something more exciting with the final Jenna casting. I’ll probably still go see it again before it closes.
I wish people would stop with the "omg I'm shocked (not really)" reactions because for MOST people, this IS a surprise. I certainly didn't expect it, and until an officially source confirms casting, like the show itself, everything else is speculation no matter who you hear it from.
What are the chances of a discount code coming out for the last weeks with Katharine McPhee? If there is one, how soon would the code be released? Trying to decide if I should buy a ticket now or wait...
I doubt there will be a discount code. The last 2 performances are all resale for hundreds, but leading up to January 3rd prices aren’t bad, just higher than normal (around $89-90 before fees).
The new non-equity tour had its first preview in Idaho last night. It comes to Vancouver next week, and I am seeing it with our season tickets. Had no idea when we bought the season that this show would switch to non-equity.
I’ll report back on how the cast was. Never seen the show live... so won’t have much but the album to compete to. I am already noticing that in preshow photos the proscenium is lacking the “neon” type lights from the first national.
Luminaire2 said: "The new non-equity tour had its first preview in Idaho last night. It comes to Vancouver next week, and I am seeing it with our season tickets. Had no idea when we bought the season that this show would switch to non-equity.
I’ll report back on how the cast was. Never seen the show live... so won’t have much but the album to compete to. I am already noticing that in preshow photos the proscenium is lacking the “neon” type lights from the first national. "
I’m seeing it on opening night on Tuesday. I saw the OBC and then saw it during Sara’s first run and also saw Molly Jobe during Shoshana’s run. I’m kinda surprised it’s non equity but was bummed when I heard that when they released the season lineup. 2 of the 4 tours coming through Vancouver are non equity with this and Rent. DEH and FN are the equity tours we are getting. Will be interesting to see what’s it’s like in comparison to broadway.
Melissa25 said: "I still have not seen this show and was holding out for Sara thinking that she’d close it out. Now I am seriously kicking myself for missing Luff.
"
Alison was wonderful but Jordin is a wonderful Jenna if you decided to come now.
BwayinVan said: "Luminaire2 said: "The new non-equity tour had its first preview in Idaho last night. It comes to Vancouver next week, and I am seeing it with our season tickets. Had no idea when we bought the season that this show would switch to non-equity.
I’ll report back on how the cast was. Never seen the show live... so won’t have much but the album to compete to. I am already noticing that in preshow photos the proscenium is lacking the “neon” type lights from the first national. "
I’m seeing it on opening night on Tuesday. I saw the OBC and then saw it during Sara’s first run and also saw Molly Jobe during Shoshana’s run. I’m kinda surprised it’s non equity but was bummed when I heard that when they released the season lineup. 2 of the 4 tours coming through Vancouver are non equity with this and Rent. DEH and FN are the equity tours we are getting. Will be interesting to see what’s it’s like in comparison to broadway."
From what I saw on the @waitressontour instagram, they're using the 1st national set but without the deck automation.
BwayinVan said: "Luminaire2 said: "The new non-equity tour had its first preview in Idaho last night. It comes to Vancouver next week, and I am seeing it with our season tickets. Had no idea when we bought the season that this show would switch to non-equity.
I’ll report back on how the cast was. Never seen the show live... so won’t have much but the album to compete to. I am already noticing that in preshow photos the proscenium is lacking the “neon” type lights from the first national. "
I’m seeing it on opening night on Tuesday. I saw the OBC and then saw it during Sara’s first run and also saw Molly Jobe during Shoshana’s run. I’m kinda surprised it’s non equity but was bummed when I heard that when they released the season lineup. 2 of the 4 tours coming through Vancouver are non equity with this and Rent. DEH and FN are the equity tours we are getting. Will be interesting to see what’s it’s like in comparison to broadway."