Waitress Without Mueller
Waitress Without Mueller
BrownHairedSinger
Swing Joined: 5/6/16
#1Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:04am
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.
#2Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:11am
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?
#3Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:15am
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.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
rebeccmam31
Featured Actor Joined: 10/21/15
#4Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:15am
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. "
I was there that night, too. I ultimately liked the show, but it took me a really long time to buy into it. I totally agree with your description of the supporting cast. They really just felt like caricatures for the most part. I have never seen it *with* Jessie Mueller, but that same day we saw Fiddler without Danny Burnstein, and I didn't feel like it was lacking anything despite the Tony nominated star being out. With Waitress, I did.
(Terrance Mann was out of Tuck on Friday night, too--I didn't have the best luck!)
#5Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:17am
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 like a good rhyme more than a good time
BrownHairedSinger
Swing Joined: 5/6/16
rebeccmam31
Featured Actor Joined: 10/21/15
#7Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:20am
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
Understudy Joined: 3/29/16
#8Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:22am
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.
#9Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:25am
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.
I like a good rhyme more than a good time
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#10Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 9:54am
"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.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
Petrichor
Understudy Joined: 3/29/16
#13Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:08am
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. :)
#14Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:13am
I have seen Jessie is several things including Beautiful and Waitress, and she is someone who very rarely misses unless it's planned or she's extremely ill. I'm sorry you didn't get to see her in Waitress, because she's absolutely incredible and hopefully you get to see her in it sometime in the future. I sat rear mezz when I went and had no problem with the sound, so I'm a little surprised by that.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#15Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:14am
I read your whole post. It was still a ridiculous statement.
#16Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:16am
Petrichor said: "
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 totally get wanting to see Jessie as I'm sure it's not quite the same without her. I can't remember when you said you were going but if it's before the Tony awards the odds are in your favor. No one likes to miss when voters might be present so I'm sure she was really needing the rest on Saturday.
I like a good rhyme more than a good time
#17Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:17am
In regard to neonlights last post - 
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 5/16/16 at 10:17 AM
Petrichor
Understudy Joined: 3/29/16
#18Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:21am
neonlightsxo said: "I read your whole post. It was still a ridiculous statement.
"
Maybe so(I'll admit I'm not the best at wording things, heh), however I think the tone of your message could have been a tad kinder. Hopefully there are no hard feelings!
NJ_BroadwayGirl, yes I'm going in a couple of weeks! June 1st.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#19Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:29am
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?
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Petrichor
Understudy Joined: 3/29/16
#20Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:44am
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?
"
Well, that was actually what I was trying to get at with my post. There is no doubt she is hard-working and dedicated. What I said also wasn't directly aimed at her. My message was posted before I found out she was very ill, and it was only meant to express concern that absences from shows would turn into often occurrences, as you pointed out, like it does for some actors. It did not sound like the OP had an enjoyable time as they felt the show was weak without Jessie, among other reasons, and I don't think anyone wants to see a show possibly have troubles especially this early on. There are some people who care more than others about who is performing in a show, but of course actors are only human.
#21Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:44am
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?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Cupid Boy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#22Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 11:26am
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?
#23Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 11:38am
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 like a good rhyme more than a good time
rebeccmam31
Featured Actor Joined: 10/21/15
#24Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 11:44am
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 just looked at my Playbill from Saturday. Jessie's name is nowhere on the cover.
Edited to add that inside where they list the show information (writer, composer, etc.), Jessie is below the title.
#25Waitress Without Mueller
Posted: 5/16/16 at 11:45am
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
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
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