Waitress - Sara's concept album vs Musical

I'm slowly becoming obsessed with Sara Bareilles's concept album for the songs from Waitress. I love the music, and Sara sings the hell out of them. I'm beginning to get worried that when I finally see the musical, that my interpretations of the songs will be so Sara-focused that I will be disappointed in how they are presented on stage. I'm excited for Jessie - but she and Sara have very different distinct voices and technique.

For those that have heard/seen both - what works better on the CD compared to the musical... and vice versa? I am looking forward to getting the cast album, as that will allow me to familiarize myself with the difference in presentation/performance before seeing the musical (as well as getting to know the new songs).

Loved the concept album, but it lost its charm in the theatre for me. Songs just ended and others sounded just like the one before it. Was very happy to hear She Used to be Mine on the radio this week!

After religiously listening to the concept album for months before seeing the show, I was 90% disappointed with the musical.

I was also disappointed by What's Inside/Opening Up because those were my favorites from the album but obviously it's gonna sound better digitally, with Sara harmonizing with herself. Still, it felt...off. Door Number Three's orchestrations are still in tact but the melody and lyrics are different, which was also disappointed because I enjoyed that song off the album. I liked how parts of Door Number Three's bridge were used as transitions in the show, though!

Updated On: 5/21/16 at 12:41 AM

I guess I went on a fluke day because I sat rear mezz and had no problem hearing them and understanding lines and lyrics.

The shame about the sound is that they are pretty simple song lyrics. I think it may have something to do with the band on stage. A very 70's idea which didn't mesh with the seriousness of the major plot line. Bareilles is such a serious pop song writer, smart pop song writer I was surprised at how lighthearted the production tried to be with its comic relief and staging.

Never saw the film - it just struck me that the abused wife and having an affair while pregnant - was at odds with the Mayberry RFD tone of the rest. It kinda reminded me of I Love My Wife but that show had the right comic tone. Waitress faced the emotional tone of the leading characters plight straight on but the filler around it was too fluffy and not sharp at all. Drama written for adults comedy and peripheral characters written for life time tv

Updated On: 5/21/16 at 07:22 AM

No one directs questions to anyone here so no need to apologize. I was addressing the idea that tone needs to carry forward in each treatment whether it be book to film or stage. Truth and sincerity vs pleasing a live audience are more important. You can take a sweet film and turn it into a sweet stage adaptation but once you start to fill the stage with a band and superfluous dancers the tone changes.

Up In One said: "The sound design/system at the theater is one of the worst Ive experienced on Broadway so the concept album is probably more relatable intelligible.



"

Thanks for saying this. At first, I thought I was crazy.

Saw the show Thursday night and couldn't believe how bad the sound was.

I just saw it last Sunday and had the same reaction to the awful sound design. The lyrics were often undecipherable over the very loud orchestra.

This happened to me with finding neverland. I loved the concept album over the cast recording.

slmlbl said: "Is it sara singing the opening 'sugar butter flour' in 'whats inside' on the cast album?"

Yes, it is Sara. The "sugar, butter, flour" lines in the theatre are her as well (recorded).

As a big Sara fan I enjoyed the concept album a lot but am personally loving the cast recording. Jessie sounds perfect - her voice is just so versatile and beautiful. I also love getting to hear the women sing as a trio on multiple occasions.