Sara Bareilles to make Waitress-related announcement on Today Show, 2/16

[Joysie2]

Thanks Javi!

Yes this seems to have been the case. I tried again earlier and got through no problem so now have my tickets. Really looking forward to this- I got the cast recording a week or so ago and love all the songs. We were intrigued to see who would be taking over after Jessie left so it's a real treat that we'll be able to see Sara as by my calculations we'll be in NYC during the penultimate week of her run. 

Thanks again for your help!

[slmlbl]

I love this and already have my tickets. My hope is they replace the voice over at the begining which is Sara and have it be Jessie. 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

I still think Sara would have made a better Becky than a Jenna, but she does look really good in the promo photos. I also love the accompanying tagline: "The best dreams are baked from scratch." So true!

[JustAFan3]

With JM ending her run on March 26 and Sara starting on the 31st - do you think Stephanie will be on as Jenna? Just wondering - would love to see her. 

[KathyNYC2]

JustAFan3 said: "With JM ending her run on March 26 and Sara starting on the 31st - do you think Stephanie will be on as Jenna? Just wondering - would love to see her. 

 

"

We can only hope.

[VintageSnarker]

Have they made any announcement about standing room? Can we assume they'll still have it when Sara joins the show?

[IdinaBellFoster]

$1.2 million in sales in one day from this accouncement! 

[steven22]

I heard Drew is leaving as well! Any idea who is replacing him? 

[BroadwayConcierge]

IdinaBellFoster said: "$1.2 million in sales in one day from this accouncement!"

This is honestly amazing.

[VintageSnarker]

I saw Henry Gottfried when Drew was out. He wasn't bad but he read a little young next to Jessie so I don't know if they'd give him the role permanently. Then again, Charity seemed young to be playing Becky.

[a-mad]

Is there a link to the $1.2 million sales in one day announcement? ^

[phan24]

Here it is: http://www.playbill.com/article/waitress-wraps-1-million-the-day-sara-bareilles-announced-as-new-lead

[a-mad]

 ^ Thanks!

[Daddy Warbucks]

Sometimes limited runs of a play get extended.  I wonder if the 10 weeks of Sara could get extended.  Maybe this was intended as a trial - if her performance gets panned, the show is only putting 10 weeks in jeopardy.  But if she is sold out every night and nails it, and if she is getting compensated well enough, maybe she'd keep extending and extending?

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

It's a good month to be Sara Bareilles...dayum!

[KathyNYC2]

VintageSnarker said: "I saw Henry Gottfried when Drew was out. He wasn't bad but he read a little young next to Jessie so I don't know if they'd give him the role permanently. Then again, Charity seemed young to be playing Becky.

 

"

I haven't heard anything about Drew leaving but assuming he's leaving at some point, it's unlikely in my opinion Henry would be the replacement because he's a swing who can play two leads and multiple chorus parts. He's too valuable to lose, just like Stephanie Torns is too valuable to bump up because she covers both Jenna and Dawn and is in the chorus. There are lots of people who can play one part other than their own but swings have a special talent...and fortunately or unfortunately they are in demand to stay as a swing.

Charity just got bumped up for a larger role from a smaller one. Admirable for sure but not the same thing. 

[KathyNYC2]

And the answer is..

 http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/WAITRESS-Welcomes-Chris-Diamantopoulos-in-the-Role-of-Dr-Pomatter-Next-Month-20170224

[Blockhead24]

Chris' work on "Good Girls Revolt" made me such a hardcore fan. This news is really exciting and I'm so happy he's coming back to Broadway. I just hope he'll still be in it when I can get back to NYC. 

[TheSassySam]

Has Waitress recouped yet? I hope this run helps it! 

[Blockhead24]

^yes it has..it's in the article about Chris joining.

[KathyNYC2]

TheSassySam said: "Has Waitress recouped yet? I hope this run helps it! 

 

"

^^Yes it is in the article...

"Waitress announced last month that it recouped its $12 million investment in less than 10 months on Broadway, making it and Hamilton the only two new musicals from the last Broadway season (2015-2016) to go into profit."

[VintageSnarker]

The only thing I've seen Chris in is that show The Starter Wife with Debra Messing which was a very different part. I'm curious about what the show will be like with an older actor. Seeing Henry in the part, the doctor character wasn't exactly sympathetic, but it was sort of more understandable that a younger guy would have made those choices.