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Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical

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Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical

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jacobsnchz14
#1Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:15pm

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/from-carol-king-to-a-waitress-jessie-mueller-takes-on-a-new-musical/?smid=nytimesarts&_r=0

From Carol King to a “Waitress:” Jessie Mueller Takes on a New Musical
By HEALY NOVEMBER 27, 2014 1:12 PMNovember 27, 2014 1:12 pm Comment

Jessie Mueller, who won a best actress Tony Award in June for her acclaimed performance in the title role of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” has found her next big theater project. She will star in the new musical “Waitress,” based on the 2007 film about a put-upon southern diner server (played by Keri Russell in the movie) who has a gift for making inventive pies and shares her thoughts about life as she prepares them.

The musical, which features a score by the singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, is expected to have its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., during its 2015-16 season. If all goes well there, the show could move to Broadway; the veteran theater producers Barry and Fran Weissler (“Chicago”) are developing the musical with its director, Diane Paulus, with whom they collaborated on “Pippin” at the American Repertory Theater. “Pippin” moved to Broadway in 2013.

Ms. Mueller’s involvement in “Waitress” was disclosed this week by two theater executives with knowledge of her plans, and who divulged the still-confidential casting on condition of anonymity because the musical’s team was not ready to make an official announcement. Ms. Mueller, who began her career in Chicago and has become one of the most talked-about musical theater actresses in New York in recent years, could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Ms. Paulus, who is also artistic director of the American Repertory Theater, did not respond to e-mail seeking comment, nor did a spokeswoman for the theater.

Updated On: 11/27/14 at 01:15 PM

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ampi2
#2Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:21pm

that's pretty cool if true. I love the movie!

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HenryTDobson
#2Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:22pm

ah so exciting! I thought this was Laura Benanti's project though =/

rjm516
#3Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:47pm

"two theater executives with knowledge of her plans, and who divulged the still-confidential casting on condition of anonymity because the musical’s team was not ready to make an official announcement."

What jerks!

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Sutton Ross
#4Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 1:52pm

I dont really see her in the role, that's really disappointing. I thought it was Laura Benanti's thing.

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icecreambenjamin
#5Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:24pm

As much as I love Benanti, Mueller is better for the role.
I'm excited for this show!

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EricMontreal22
#6Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:33pm

Yeah, I think Benanti tends to come off as too self assured for the role.

broadwayboy223
#7Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 2:57pm

Maybe Laura could be a replacement for king and I If it runs a while. She needs to be back on broadway though.

jennaisjamazing
#8Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 3:03pm

In her show people interviewed, Laura Benanti said she was coming back to broadway in 2016. I assumed it was for Waitress. Now that it's not, does anyone know what it could be?

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Jeffrey Karasarides
#9Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 3:12pm

^Best Little Whorehouse?

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gleek4114
#10Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 4:45pm

I know it's far fetched: Parade Revival? If the concert goes well?

Curious3
#11Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 4:58pm

Not being familiar with Sara Bareilles but based only on the brief clip of her singing a ballad from the proposed show, I am not at all impressed. I very much enjoyed the movie. Wonderful characters, a cute but somewhat down story with a happy end and very COLORFUL design, I wish it success. Hope they keep that adorable song from the film "Gonna Bake a Pie With a Heart in the Middle", but it would seem unlikely since we have a totally different composer/lyricist.

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Phillypinto
#12Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/27/14 at 5:24pm

OMG!! I wonder what happened to Benanti!! Maybe she dropped out? I think Jessie would be better suited for this show anyway but I still want Laura back on Broadway!!


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broadwayboy223
#13Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:19pm

Well does anyone have an exact quote stating that Benanti was gonna do Waitress? I thought she just said she had a project for 2016.

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promisespromises2
#14Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:27pm

I absolutely adore Mueller. I need to go watch the movie now to see what it's all about!

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Jeffrey Karasarides
#15Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:31pm

"Well does anyone have an exact quote stating that Benanti was gonna do Waitress? I thought she just said she had a project for 2016."

Kelli O'Hara did once joked about both her and Laura starring in a musical written by Sara Bareilles.

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ray-andallthatjazz86
#16Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 1:43pm

What are Benanti's commitments to NASHVILLE? I don't watch it, so don't know her status, but I was wondering if maybe that got in the way of her being involved in this.
I, too, cannot wait to see her back on stage though. She's just great.


"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Updated On: 11/28/14 at 01:43 PM

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Sutton Ross
#17Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 2:44pm

It was reported that she had a multi episode arc this season.

jennaisjamazing
#18Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 2:58pm

In Laura's Show People she said she was coming back to Broadway in 2016. In Kelli O'Hara's Show People she mentioned that Benanti had been doing all the workshops and readings for Waitress. So I assumed that was the project she was talking about for Broadway.

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Johnnycantdecide
#19Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:08pm

Benanti in Whorehouse would get me to that theater so fast...

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Mr. Nowack
#20Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:16pm

This sounds like an interesting project. I really like a lot of Bareilles' work and of course Jessie Mueller will undoubtedly be wonderful. I haven't seen the film but the synopsis sounds like an interesting story with a lot of musical potential.


Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

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Phillypinto
#21Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:51pm

they have been talking about a My Fair Lady revival for a while now...maybe thats Benanti's show? Or Ever After? or maybe she just got fired or left the project


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ray-andallthatjazz86 Profile Photo
ray-andallthatjazz86
#22Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 3:54pm

Benanti has mentioned MY FAIR LADY as a dream role for many years now. I can't think of anyone I'd rather see play Eliza, but I went through this already when I wanted her for THE KING & I bad, only to see Kelli O'Hara being cast (to be fair, I think Ms. O'Hara will be lovely). I wouldn't be surprised if O'Hara ends up as Eliza on Broadway.
It'd be fantastic to see Benanti do a new show though.


"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

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Jeffrey Karasarides
#23Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 4:06pm

^Well, Kelli had already played Eliza before back in 2007 with the New York Philharmonic. Though I would love to see Jessie or Laura in the role whenever Clive Davis has it ready!

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Phillypinto
#24Jessie Mueller to star in Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS musical
Posted: 11/28/14 at 4:56pm

Let's not forget Laura Osnes! she's be lovely in the role too!


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