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Photos

Productions

Alice By HeartAlice By Heart
 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Director
Book[Replacement]

Writing

Alice By Heart
Bookwriter

Movies

Tucker: The Man and His Dream
[ 1988 ] Woman on Steps
So I Married an Axe Murderer
[ 1993 ] Ralph
Corrina, Corrina
[ 1994 ] producer
Stepmom
[ 1998 ] writer
The Story of Us
[ 1999 ] Realtor
I Am Sam
[ 2001 ] producer
Because I Said So
[ 2007 ] producer
Fred Claus
[ 2007 ] producer
Danny Collins
[ 2015 ] producer
Love the Coopers
[ 2015 ] producer

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Jessie Nelson, Waitress

Videos

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News


THE LION KING & More Lead Orlando's April 2025 Top Theatre Shows Photo
THE LION KING & More Lead Orlando's April 2025 Top Theatre Shows
by Team BWW - Mar 28, 2025

Orlando is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for April 2025 include The Lion King and more.
Leslie McDonel and More to Star in WAITRESS at ZACH Theatre Photo
Leslie McDonel and More to Star in WAITRESS at ZACH Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025

ZACH Theatre has revealed the cast and creatives for the Tony-nominated musical Waitress, with a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Learn more!
Video: First Look at WAITRESS at THEATRE UNDER THE STARS Photo
Video: First Look at WAITRESS at THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
by Michael Major - Mar 24, 2025

Get a first look at Waitress at Theatre Under the Stars! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy Broadway magic in Houston. Watch the video of the upcoming production now.
Review: WAITRESS at The 5th Avenue Theatre Photo
Review: WAITRESS at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by Jay Irwin - Mar 15, 2025

Dear Readers, when the rights for local theaters to produce hit shows become available, or start to become available, you know every theater will be vying to be the first. One such show currently in this situation is Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson’s huge hit “Waitress”. And once those rights are out there, we get to see what the local houses can do. Are they up to the task or will it just be a pale imitation of the Broadway and touring runs? The 5th Avenue Theatre has stepped up to be the first in this case and I’m thrilled to say, with a top notch cast and some able direction this first in the area production of “Waitress” is smacked clean out of the park.
Caitlin Kinnunen to Lead Master Class at Northern Stage Photo
Caitlin Kinnunen to Lead Master Class at Northern Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2025

Tony-nominated actor Caitlin Kinnunen (The Prom, Broadway), now featured as Dawn in Waitress at Northern Stage, leads a master class with select Northern Stage students in our advanced training program YES Next Stage. Learn how to attend.
Photos: WAITRESS At The Titusville Playhouse Photo
Photos: WAITRESS At The Titusville Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 10, 2025

The heartwarming story of WAITRESS bakes its way to the stage at the Titusville Playhouse from March 14 through April 20. Check out brand-new photos of the production!
WAITRESS Comes to Titusville Playhouse This Month Photo
WAITRESS Comes to Titusville Playhouse This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2025

 The heartwarming story of WAITRESS will come to the Titusville Playhouse. 'Waitress,' with music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, features a book by renowned screenwriter Jessie Nelson.
Cast Set for Capitol Theatre Port Hope Summer Season Featuring WAITRESS and More Photo
Cast Set for Capitol Theatre Port Hope Summer Season Featuring WAITRESS and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2025

Capitol Theatre Port Hope has shared casting details for the four mainstage productions of the A Place to Call Home summer season, featuring Waitress and more.
Centre Stage To Present WAITRESS This May Photo
Centre Stage To Present WAITRESS This May
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2025

Centre Stage has announced the upcoming production of the Tony-nominated musical Waitress, running from May 1-18, 2025. Waitress tells the heartwarming and inspiring story of Jenna, a small-town waitress with big dreams, who finds unexpected strength and courage when faced with life's challenges.
WAITRESS Miami Regional Premiere to be Presented at Actors' Playhouse Photo
WAITRESS Miami Regional Premiere to be Presented at Actors' Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre will continue its 2024-2025 season with the Miami regional premiere of the hit Broadway musical Waitress. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Videos: WAITRESS at Paramount Theatre Aurora Photo
Videos: WAITRESS at Paramount Theatre Aurora
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2025

Waitress is now playing through March 30 at the Paramount Theatre Aurora. Check out all new video clips from the show and learn more about how to catch a performance here!
Interview: Amy Marie McCleary And Paula Figueroa Caunedo of WAITRESS at Dutch Apple D Photo
Interview: Amy Marie McCleary And Paula Figueroa Caunedo of WAITRESS at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - Feb 26, 2025

The musical Waitress, with book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, premiered in 2015. It opened on Broadway in 2016 and ran until 2020. Waitress explores themes of self-discovery, family, happiness, friendship, and dreams as the audience goes on a journey with waitress and pie maker Jenna.
Review: WAITRESS at Beck Center For The Arts Photo
Review: WAITRESS at Beck Center For The Arts
by Roy Berko - Feb 22, 2025

What did our critic think of WAITRESS at Beck Center For The Arts?
WAITRESS Casting Announced At Northern Stage Photo
WAITRESS Casting Announced At Northern Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 20, 2025

Northern Stage's 2024/25 Season continues with the hit Broadway musical Waitress, running from March 12, 2025, through April 13, 2025, in the Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts.
Review: WAITRESS at Olney Theatre Center Photo
Review: WAITRESS at Olney Theatre Center
by Ken Kemp - Feb 18, 2025

From the moment MALINDA appears on stage as Jenna in Waitress at Olney Theatre Center, it's clear that this is a role she was born to play. She lights up the stage, her beautiful singing voice and sublime acting leading a stellar & impressive cast.
Review: WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL, National Theatre At Home Photo
Review: WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL, National Theatre At Home
by Amber-Rae Stobbs - Feb 17, 2025

Sara Bareilles writes the songs and sings them in a production brought to the screen for the first time
Video: Sara Bareilles Sings 'What's Inside' With Audience at WAITRESS Mexico Photo
Video: Sara Bareilles Sings 'What's Inside' With Audience at WAITRESS Mexico
by Joshua Wright - Feb 13, 2025

Watch Sara Bareilles sing 'What's Inside' with the audience at the Mexican production of Waitress which begins performances at Teatro San Rafael on February 13, 2025. The production stars Aitza Terán.
Review: WAITRESS at Omaha Community Playhouse Photo
Review: WAITRESS at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - Jan 27, 2025

One of my favorite pieces of musical theatre opened at the Omaha Community Playhouse on January 24th. WAITRESS, featuring the prodigious music and lyrics of Sara Bareilles and book by Jessie Nelson, was adapted from Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 film script of the same name. Shelly wrote, directed and co-starred in the film, but was murdered in 2006 when she was only 40 years old. Sadly, Shelly never saw the film which opened three months later.
VIDEO: Aitza Terán Will Star in WAITRESS in Mexico Photo
VIDEO: Aitza Terán Will Star in WAITRESS in Mexico
by Joshua Wright - Jan 17, 2025

Mexican musical theatre star Aitza Terán will star as Jenna in the upcoming production of Waitress which begins performances at Teatro San Rafael on February 13, 2025. Preview Terán in a video from the show!
WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL Film Sets Max Streaming Date Photo
WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL Film Sets Max Streaming Date
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 13, 2025

The recording of Waitress: The Musical, starring Sara Bareilles will be available to stream on Max in time for Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025. The filmed capture was screened in theaters in December of 2023 and is also available to rent and purchase.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Jessie Nelson written?

Jessie Nelson has written 2 shows including Waitress (Book), Alice By Heart (Bookwriter).

What awards has Jessie Nelson been nominated for?

and Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Waitress.

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