Waitress Previews- Page 6

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 12:45pm

Waitress is off to a strong start! 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/WAITRESS-Breaks-House-Record-at-Brooks-Atkinson-Theatre-Tickets-Now-on-Sale-Into-2017-20160328

[ninecrayons]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 1:07pm

Dancingthrulife2 said: "They literally howl whenever someone belts a high note. Imagine the whole house CHEERS in the middle of She Used to Be Mine... Ugh... That's what happened tonight and it immediately got me out of the scene. Of course it's not the fault of the creatives, but still..."

 

I saw the first preview on Friday and have been totally lurking in this thread. I totally thought the audience over-reactiveness was just me being grumpy, but I'm glad other people noticed it. 

 

I totally agree that the music is wonderful and I'm glad that I went in unspoiled so I didn't have an attachment to Sara Bareilles singing the songs. I thought Jessie Mueller was wonderful and I do hope she gets recognition for her performance in the role. 

 

The book definitely needs work though. I felt the whole storyline with Jenna/Dr. Pomatter was really rushed. That may just be because I feel like the chemistry between Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling is a bit lacking? Did anybody else see/feel that, or is just me? 


I'll be very curious to see how the show shapes up throughout the preview process and what its "final state" is going to be like 

[fyeahmaria]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 1:12pm

Abbagirl, I pmed you :)

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 2:40pm

Sorry if this has already been discussed but what is the current running time?  My friend and I may see this for the last Friday night preview followed by sleep no more and I'm wondering what entry time we will be able to make for SNM. 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 2:44pm

ChiTheaterFan said: "Sorry if this has already been discussed but what is the current running time?  My friend and I may see this for the last Friday night preview followed by sleep no more and I'm wondering what entry time we will be able to make for SNM. "

It started a little late on Friday and was finished at about 10:40.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 2:47pm

Thanks!  I think we'll do 11:15 SNM then. 

[downhillskier]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 2:49pm

 I saw it in  Cambridge last summer. I Totally agree with you. I found it very enjoyable but was somewhat disappointed. Jessie gave a wonderful  performance and the music was great. Definitely had issues with the book. I did not feel any chemistry between Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling at all. Definitely found their connection extremely rushed. I was disappointed that I really could not buy into the whole story. I viewed the movie for the first time after seeing the musical and found it much more believable.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 2:59pm

Seems to be selling well! I really hope this is a hit.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/WAITRESS-Breaks-House-Record-at-Brooks-Atkinson-Theatre-Tickets-Now-on-Sale-Into-2017-20160328

[BroadwayFanatic454]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 3:05pm

Can anyone (who has seen Waitress or been to the Brooks Atkinson) how high the stage is? I'm looking at some front row tickets for September. Thank you! 

[cglaid]

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

IdinaBellFoster said: "Seems to be selling well! I really hope this is a hit.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/WAITRESS-Breaks-House-Record-at-Brooks-Atkinson-Theatre-Tickets-Now-on-Sale-Into-2017-20160328


Does this mean our chances of a rush policy just got even smaller?

 

[Daddy Warbucks]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 4:11pm

I heard some people had standing room only seats. Is that something they only offer during previews, or, if there is enough demand, would it be typical for a show/theatre to offer SRO after opening night?

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 4:14pm

Daddy Warbucks said: "I heard some people had standing room only seats. Is that something they only offer during previews, or, if there is enough demand, would it be typical for a show/theatre to offer SRO after opening night?"

Standing Room seats are pretty common for theatres that can accommodate it spacewise, and that have a show that's selling out. This would be true after opening as well.

[Daddy Warbucks]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 4:41pm

Thanks NJ_BroadwayGirl.  Apologies for all the questions on such an insignificant topic, but does standing room only mean the audience member is actually standing, or does it mean they pull out some fold-up chairs and place them in the back or sides of the house?    

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 5:03pm

Daddy Warbucks said: "Thanks NJ_BroadwayGirl.  Apologies for all the questions on such an insignificant topic, but does standing room only mean the audience member is actually standing, or does it mean they pull out some fold-up chairs and place them in the back or sides of the house?  "

You're welcome! I'm pretty sure it's actually standing - in the back of the orchestra.

Updated On: 3/28/16 at 05:03 PM

[abbagirl]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 5:39pm

You indeed have to stand, but in a specific numbered spot (the number being on your ticket like a seat number); there is a rail at the back of the orch directly behind the last row of seats, with numbers on the rail. You stand right in front of your number for the entire show. At the Brooks it's a great view, there are no mezz overhang issues or anything, and the show wasn't unusually long so I physically didn't find it too taxing, thankfully! :)

[airconway]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 5:39pm

Really hoping they still have rush tickets. I'm coming up in May and want to see the Sunday matinee, but not trying to pay full price.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 8:14pm

I was at the invited dress and did not want to post my thoughts until after this weekend. I definitely enjoyed the show. There is some great stuff going onstage at the Brooks Atkinson. That being said, I did not love this show as much as I thought I would. The cast is truly stellar without a weak link. Jessie Mueller is great. Just like Beautiful, I think that Waitress suffers from not the greatest book (although I will say that the book for Waitress is much superior to the book for Beautiful IMO). And, just like Beautiful, Jessie Mueller manages to hide some of the book's weaknesses with her phenomenal performance.

 

The three women are all great and deliver the goods. Christopher Fitzgerald is also great, even though I thought his number came off as a bit "stalkerish...". The score for this is very good for the most part. I am a Sara Bareilles fan, and I was not disappointed. The ballads and romantic duets are definitely when the score is at its very best. There were a few songs that didn't quite "work" for me, but overall, I was impressed with the score.

 

The choreography for this show is strange, and at times unnecessary. It reminded me a bit of the choreography from If/Then. Lots of movement, but not exactly dancing, for no real reason. That could just be me though. I thought the choreography during the pregnancy scene was pretty strange.

 

The set was very effective for the most part. I loved the proscenium of rotating pies and the onstage orchestra. I also loved how Jenna's apartment was the only closed off portion of the set. It really created a sense of isolation. 

 

Overall, I definitely had a good time at this show, but I can't say it's something that I would say to rush to see right away. In fact, my mom and her friends are coming into town in a few weeks, and I planned on taking them to this since it seemed like such a great "girls night out show", but I am actually exploring other options. Jessie Mueller is incredible, and her "She Used To Be Mine" is out of this world. So in the end, I guess I would say that I "liked" this show just fine, but I was by no means blown away.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 8:23pm

airconway said: "Really hoping they still have rush tickets. I'm coming up in May and want to see the Sunday matinee, but not trying to pay full price.

 

"

If you don't mind sitting in the mezz I just bought a ticket for mid May for $59 plus fees.  (with code)

[Southstreet]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 10:09am

What time do the standing room tickets usually go on sale, is it first thing when the box office opens?

[airconway]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 5:39pm

Mind sharing the code? I may concede and get two.

[abbagirl]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 5:48pm

Southstreet said: "What time do the standing room tickets usually go on sale, is it first thing when the box office opens?"

They only sell 'em if and when they are *completely* sold out (premiums and all), which of course can be any time during the day, I'm afraid. I wasn't able to get mine till very close to showtime.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 8:33pm

airconway said: "Mind sharing the code? I may concede and get two.

 

"

I believe it's ART1. 

I just bought a $99 orchestra seat with that code for this Friday. I saw the first preview of the show in Cambridge, and I know it's changed quite a bit, so I'm excited. 

[fyeahmaria]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 11:17pm

No luck at SRO today, they were very close to sold out, but not completely so they could not sell them. I ended up buying a $79 partial view side orchestra at about 7.36pm. They sell these day off, and they're not available on telecharge. View was fine. I was orch right and only missed what I believe was the band(?) In the back right (stage left) corner. Show was amazing.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 11:23pm

I'm a huge fan of Sara Bareilles and Jessie Mueller's. I hated the movie. HATED it. But...

I LOVED THIS. Had such a wonderful, moving night. Could 10 minutes be trimmed? Sure. Do they need to be? Not really. All of the performances are wonderful, with Christopher Fitzgerald stopping the show and Keala Sette singing her heart out. But Jessie Mueller is so astonishing. Easily one of the best performances I've seen all year. And incredible as Erivo is in The Color Purple, I think Jessie's performance is more impressive.

Loved the set, loved the costumes, the lights, etc. Choreography isn't impressive but it works for the show. Jessie though... And that score... Wow.

i don't understand the comments that say Jessie doesn't shine until "She Used To Be Mine". I thought it was a mesmerizing, 2.5 hour master class. And that first act number that replaced "Door Number Three" is INCREDIBLE. And she nails it...

Can't wait to see it again!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 12:14am

ninecrayons said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "They literally howl whenever someone belts a high note. Imagine the whole house CHEERS in the middle of She Used to Be Mine... Ugh... That's what happened tonight and it immediately got me out of the scene. Of course it's not the fault of the creatives, but still..."

 

I saw the first preview on Friday and have been totally lurking in this thread. I totally thought the audience over-reactiveness was just me being grumpy, but I'm glad other people noticed it. 

 

I totally agree that the music is wonderful and I'm glad that I went in unspoiled so I didn't have an attachment to Sara Bareilles singing the songs. I thought Jessie Mueller was wonderful and I do hope she gets recognition for her performance in the role. 

 

The book definitely needs work though. I felt the whole storyline with Jenna/Dr. Pomatter was really rushed. That may just be because I feel like the chemistry between Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling is a bit lacking? Did anybody else see/feel that, or is just me? 


I'll be very curious to see how the show shapes up throughout the preview process and what its "final state" is going to be like 

 

I saw it in Cambridge, so things may have changes, but I thought the chemistry between Mueller and Gehling was smoking, but I was also in the first row, so that may have accounted for some of it.  I loved the show in Cambridge, although I knew there were areas for improvement.  I am particularly pleased that people are enjoying the score, because as w whole it didn't make a strong impression on me and I am anxious for the OCR to be released.  

"