Waitress Without Mueller

Went to Waitress on Saturday night and had the understudy for Jessie Mueller. And in my opinion it really suffered. I think it was only her 2nd performance in the role, the first being the matinee. There was no nuance to it. I think it highlighted the weakness of the show overall. The supporting cast was decent, yet over the top and slapstick. And the sound mixing was just awful. I couldn't hear anyone unless it was just a solo instrument or the singer was belting. Highly disappointed. And if I lived in NYC I might have seen if I could get a refund or a make good for a later date.

I was wondering how this show would fare without Jessie. Jessie is so talented that she can elevate just about any bad material. This is exactly what she did with Beautiful. I liked the show just fine when I saw her in it, but when I went back and saw it without her, the show really suffered, and the flaws were extremely noticeable. I personally didn't have a problem with the sound mixing, though. I thought the sound was excellent from the mezzanine.

WickedGinger said: "BrownHairedSinger said: "Went to Waitress on Saturday night and had the understudy for Jessie Mueller. And in my opinion it really suffered. I think it was only her 2nd performance in the role, the first being the matinee. There was no nuance to it. I think it highlighted the weakness of the show overall. The supporting cast was decent, yet over the top and slapstick. And the sound mixing was just awful. I couldn't hear anyone unless it was just a solo instrument or the singer was belting. Highly disappointed. And if I lived in NYC I might have seen if I could get a refund or a make good for a later date. "

What was wrong with Jessie?"

Bummer for you that you missed Jessie and can't easily make it up! I had noticed sound problems during my first viewing (first preview) but thought it was much improved by the second time in late April. Where were you sitting?

As for Jessie, Keala Settle said on Twitter that people including Jessie are fighting off a bug, but who knows. She missed both shows on Saturday but was back on Sunday.

NJ_BroadwayGirl said: "WickedGinger said: "BrownHairedSinger said: "Went to Waitress on Saturday night and had the understudy for Jessie Mueller. And in my opinion it really suffered. I think it was only her 2nd performance in the role, the first being the matinee. There was no nuance to it. I think it highlighted the weakness of the show overall. The supporting cast was decent, yet over the top and slapstick. And the sound mixing was just awful. I couldn't hear anyone unless it was just a solo instrument or the singer was belting. Highly disappointed. And if I lived in NYC I might have seen if I could get a refund or a make good for a later date. "

What was wrong with Jessie?"

Bummer for you that you missed Jessie and can't easily make it up! I had noticed sound problems during my first viewing (first preview) but thought it was much improved by the second time in late April. Where were you sitting?

As for Jessie, Keala Settle said on Twitter that people including Jessie are fighting off a bug, but who knows. She missed both shows on Saturday but was back on Sunday."



I forgot to add that I was in the orchestra for Saturday night, and I had no issues with the sound.

Petrichor said: "Oof, it always seems kinda questionable to me when actors/actresses are absent this early on in a show's run. Hopefully everything is okay with Jessie, though! Also hoping she will be performing when I see the show in a couple of weeks as my friend is the one who really wants to see it and I now fear they might not like it if the show is mediocre."

I wouldn't worry, this was the first time she has called out. She missed both shows on Saturday but was back on Sunday.

With the heft of this role though, I wouldn't be surprised to see her miss matinees here and there later in the run. She's on stage the entire time and it has to be a bear to do 8 times a week.

Who went on for Jessie?

neonlightsxo said: ""Oof, it always seems kinda questionable to me when actors/actresses are absent this early on in a show's run. "



Jesus Christ, "questionable"? She was sick. She's only human.



"

Relax, it wasn't that serious. If you read the rest of my message you would've known that I said I hope all is well with her in the next sentence.



Anyway, thanks NJ_BroadwayGirl! That's a bit of a relief! I'm fine with her being there or an understudy, doesn't really matter to me, like I said I just think my friend would be disappointed if that were the case. It will be a fun time either way. :)

I read your whole post. It was still a ridiculous statement.

In regard to neonlights last post -

Updated On: 5/16/16 at 10:17 AM

Jesse leaves the stage for maybe 90 seconds in WAITRESS. She's missed 2 shows in 3 months. "Questionable"? Give me a flipping break. She's one of the most dedicated performers working today. If you want to talk about "questionable" attendance, why not ask the lady at Studio 54 who's out often but still has time to perform at 54 Below?

iluvtheatertrash said: "Jesse leaves the stage for maybe 90 seconds in WAITRESS. She's missed 2 shows in 3 months. "Questionable"? Give me a flipping break. She's one of the most dedicated performers working today. If you want to talk about "questionable" attendance, why not ask the lady at Studio 54 who's out often but still has time to perform at 54 Below?



"

Laura benanti?

Cupid Boy2 said: "With Playbill's lovely retooling of their site, I can't seem to find the interior pages they used to post of the Playbills themselves. I just wanted to confirm that Mueller is above the title, correct?"

I can't pull it up either but I don't think she is above the title.

I don't know how above the title works, but she's not above the marquee.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/theatre-marquee-unveiling-for-the-new-sara-bareilles-news-photo/508049764