How Much Longer Does WAITRESS Have?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:18pm

The show is an unquestionable hit, but its grosses have been taking a dive lately (this past week was its first it posted less than $600k).

I'm writing this thread now because they're now offering a "buy one ticket, get another for $10" offer code, which is pretty radical, no? Is the end in sight?

[BwayDude2]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:22pm

I bet the show closes out with Betsy Wolfe. And I'm assuming that will be sometime soon, considering she's slated to be in Carousel in the next season. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:30pm

I have a hunch Betsy's trip to LA this week was to film something with the new Jenna and that new Jenna is Jennifer Nettles who might just help boost sales for the show.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:32pm

I've got a front row Orchestra seat to see the matinee on Nov. 12, the sixth and last show of my trip. Hope it makes it that long. Other current shows which haven't already recouped (as Waitress has) have been struggling worse and longer so as long as it's not losing money each week, I suspect it will make it through the holidays assuming that that Betsy stays that long or they find a suitable replacement. There have been rumors that Sara might return. If it closes before I can see it, I do have backup shows in mind. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:36pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I have a hunch Betsy's trip to LA this week was to film something with the new Jenna and that new Jenna is Jennifer Nettles who might just help boost sales for the show."

Hmmm...not the biggest Jennifer Nettles fan..mainly her vocal mannerisms when she was with her band...it seemed like she was trying to out-Reba Reba...admittedly not the biggest country music fan her...I have heard a bit of her solo stuff and she seems to have toned that down...so we'll see...

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 1:39pm

I would love if Jennifer Nettles took over. Jorge, do you have any insight that Jennifer might get cast?

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 2:41pm

There is no way producers would let this die out so quickly. If nothing else, I expect Sara to come back for a brief stint at the very least.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 3:00pm

I got a front mezzanie rush ticket last night 25 minutes before curtain .  It was full enough except for the extreme sides of the mezzanie and the very back.  I have a feeling the back of the orchestra might have also been empty.  Betsy wasn't on last night.  Show is still middle of the road stuff.  But enjoyable .  

Updated On: 9/15/17 at 03:00 PM

[ethan231h]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 3:08pm

Valentina3 said: "There is no way producers would let this die out so quickly. If nothing else, I expect Sara to come back for a brief stint at the very least."

agree. Sara adores the show and with everything going on these days against women (well sorta) they will find a way to keep it open! 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 3:11pm

Plus its the weisslers. If anything they know how to keep a show open. 

[GreenGables]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 3:28pm

Valentina3 said: "There is no way producers would let this die out so quickly. If nothing else, I expect Sara to come back for a brief stint at the very least."

I think you're on the nose here.  The Weissler's are known for stunt casting, and I can't imagine they wouldn't pull out all of the stops for their most recent darling.  I could see Sara coming back, and maybe a few other celebrities, at least to get them through next summer

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 4:05pm

I'd say maybe pull Sara back for a limited run, and then bring in Jennifer Nettles. Two stunt casting choices in a row, and I'd imagine the show would make a healthy profit then. I'd love to see Jessica Vosk, Kelli O'Hara (no, she's not too old), and Kate Baldwin (also not too old) play Jenna as well.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:00pm

Is Sara available for a return engagement? I imagine she may be busy with other projects and concerts. I can't imagine she's just sitting around with nothing to do. For all we know, they may have wanted her back (or wanted her to stay on longer), but she wasn't available.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:03pm

according to Betsy's final vlog she has no idea when she's leaving. Which I find odd. https://youtu.be/aUxLtch5Sxo

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:12pm

Why not Laura Beanti? She did a reading I believe. 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:20pm

Laura would be amazing as well. I think this role would really highlight her talent in a way we haven't really seen before.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:30pm

I like the laura Benanti idea, I even suggested it myself. I'm not sure if she's a big enough name for the show, though and would she really want to replace this far into her career?

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:34pm

broadwayboy223 said: "Why not Laura Beanti? She did a reading I believe."

Would love to hear more about this - did anyone on these boards got to attend/know someone who did? 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:39pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I have a hunch Betsy's trip to LA this week was to film something with the new Jenna and that new Jenna is Jennifer Nettles who might just help boost sales for the show."

 

 

I'm sure Matt and James are happy you listen to Today on Broadway. lol

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:43pm

I'm being dead honest. Don't know who they are or what today on Broadway is. Just a coincidence I guess

[jbird5]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:45pm

Laura will be doing Meteor Shower with Amy Schumer for the next couple of months.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 5:58pm

Nettles has a connection to the Weisslers already as well- she did a stint as Roxy in Chicago and I found her to be quite good! I'm guessing that Betsy has been out all week then- I saw it Tuesday night and was a little disappointed to miss her as I was there for her, having seen both Jennas previously.  Will probably visit again, I thought Torns knocked the second act out of the park- especially "She Used to be Mine", but found the first act extremely under energized all around. For what it's worth the orchestra was full- not sure about the balcony, but as we know capacity hasn't got a lot to do with the numbers at the end of the day.

Updated On: 9/15/17 at 05:58 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 6:00pm

^betsy was only out the 12th and 13th

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 8:00pm

I hope it never closes. Well I don't mean never but I do hope it becomes one of those long-running Broadway shows where a variety of talented singers take on the role of Jenna as I do think Jenna will become a classic female musical theater role. I mean I think "What Baking Can Do" and "She Used to Be Mine" are already classic I Want and 11o'clock numbers.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/15/17 at 9:30pm

Call_me_jorge said: "^betsy was only out the 12th and 13th"

 

CMJ.;  my program insert says otherwise .  But I honestly wouldn't know the difference between the two since I am not familiar with either of them .