WAITRESS Will Officially Bow on Broadway in Spring 2016

[wish i were here2]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-WAITRESS-Will-Officially-Bow-on-Broadway-in-Spring-2016-20150813

They are going into the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, no wonder Spring Awakening kept saying 18 weeks only with no possible extension!

[bwayphreak234]

Great news!

[Call_me_jorge]

Where will American phsyco go?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

^Into a Shubert house.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Hey my educated guess of the Brooks Atkinson was right. 

I'm thrilled that this will be on Broadway and just wish it wasn't so far away. I look forward to seeing how the show changes from Cambridge. Congrats to all involved. 

[shanphelia]

That's great news!  I find I have songs from it still stuck in my head after seeing it last weekend...looking forward to seeing how they continue to improve the show for Bway!

[starcatchers]

"Where will American phsyco go?

 

"

The Belasco? 

[Phillypinto]

maybe Spring Awakening will move into another house? Like Its only a play did?

[BwayinVan]

Yay!!! Adding this to my list of shows I'm going to see on my epic April trip (7 shows in 5 days)

[JoseLee_]

Am I the only one scared when they announce shows that are opening in the same season as Hamilton?

[firebolts]

"Am I the only one scared when they announce shows that are opening in the same season as Hamilton?"

 

Right? I was wondering what all of these new productions are thinking when they open - they must be terrified. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

I'm sure it's something any show went through that opened the same season as A Chorus Line, Evita, Cats, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, The Lion King, The Producers, Hairspray, and/or The Book of Mormon.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

You never know. Fun Home was the undisputed front-runner this time last season, but then American in Paris and Something Rotten! both sort of came out of nowhere and gave it some competition. It still won big, of course, but it made for a great season all-around and some nail-biting categories!

[ACL2006]

I doubt WAITRESS will have any chance of knocking out HAMILTON's Tony chances. I'm surprised the producers are bringing it in this season instead of waiting until the summer of 2016 to open it.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

I read some commentary elsewhere about how the attention Hamilton is bringing to Broadway this season can benefit ALL the shows, especially new ones.

Another reason for bringing it in this season and not waiting is the cast. Jessie Mueller is really perfect in this role and carries a heavy load  - she's the perfect choice for the lead in many ways (vocals, acting, age). I can't see her wanting to wait around too long and missing another season to wait for Waitress. She'll be promoted as a Tony-winner and will be Tony-eligible and I imagine will get a nomination. Keala Settle is also particularly well-suited and excellent in her role and I think someone they'll want to be sure to keep around.

[Phillypinto]

I think Jessie can win another Tony for this show. 

[GreasedLightning]

"You never know. Fun Home was the undisputed front-runner this time last season, but then American in Paris and Something Rotten! both sort of came out of nowhere and gave it some competition. It still won big, of course, but it made for a great season all-around and some nail-biting categories!

 

AND, even without winning big, SR! and AAIP became somewhat hits themselves. 

I'm curious to read more about this commentary on how opening the same season as Hamilton will help new shows. Not doubting your read, just interested to hear more!

"

 

[dramamama611]

So years big shoes come in, everything else should just disappear??  Poppykosh.

And Annie brings up a good truth....other shows will benefit from Hamilton's success. There's always room for more than one successful show in every season.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Depending on the competition, I think she would be a very strong contender. She portrays a very wide range of emotions and sings some powerful, emotional songs that showcase her talent as an actress. She has multiple solo numbers and duets and is on stage nearly the entire show.

[Phillypinto]

yeah and Waitress deals with some very serious issues. I think its either gonna be Benanti or Mueller this year.

McDonald, Erivo, and Salonga will be big contenders as well but i don't think they will get it. Plus who knows what else is coming 

[Mr Roxy]

They are not scared. They have to be realistic and know they have no shot in hell of winning a Tony for anything. They need to hope for good reviews & a long run. If they do that they will be fine.

There will be absolutely no suspense come Tony time on the musical end so we have to concentrate on straight plays where there should be some competition for awards. None of the musical nominees should prepare any acceptance speech. They just need to recite the mantra that it is an honor to be nominated because they have to know that is all they will get.

[starcatchers]

On the contrary. I think this will make for a more interesting awards season. 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Right. Waitress deals with heavy issues and handles them well. And as a female lead, Mueller's Jenna is not the counterpoint to a male lead with the same amount of stage time. The show is truly centered around her character's journey. I agree with the other names you mentioned, as as you said we never know who else is going to come out and deliver a great performance.

I have faith that they'll fix the problems and whip things into shape for next spring. It's a beautiful story.

[GreasedLightning]

"There will be absolutely no suspense come Tony time on the musical end so we have to concentrate on straight plays where there should be some competition for awards. None of the musical nominees should prepare any acceptance speech. They just need to recite the mantra that it is an honor to be nominated because they have to know that is all they will get.

 

"

 Well, that's a little soon to predict.

 

[BwayinVan]

Didn't people think Wicked was going to walk away with the Tony....