Desi Oakley News

At first glance (or at least throughout the first act), Broadway's hit musical WAITRESS, which opened last week at the Musical Hall at Fair Park, seems to be sugar-coated and overstuffed. With its country-pop tunes and slow-but-sweet pacing, the first course lacks substance, instead offering just enough fluff to spoil your appetite. But, when the second portion is finally served, a meatier musical unfolds full of heart.

The current touring production of 'Waitress' is a musical best served to a full house and welcoming audience prepared to ride one rollercoaster of a show-exactly as it was Tuesday night at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. The show itself dished out some serious laughs on its opening night, but also managed to bring in heavier undertones and themes masked by the upbeat musical numbers created by pop star Sara Bareilles.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from May 1st-6th is the national touring production of Waitress. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Desi Oakley, who stars as Jenna Hunterson.

Stephen DeAngelis continues his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with its next edition of AT THIS PERFORMANCE… to be held on Monday, March 26th at the series' new home, The Green Room 42, Green Fig, Fourth Floor, Yotel NYC, 570 Tenth Avenue (at 42nd Street), New York, NY 10036 at 7 PM. Hosted by series Producing Artistic Director and Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis, the popular series allows performers to showcase their versatility and share anecdotes about their experiences.

With her country-rich voice, Desi Oakley keeps the Southern heart of WAITRESS beating despite the silly lagniappe of the script and the tour's overmiked production.

Dr. Phillips Center celebrates Pi Day by revealing the two little girls chosen for their big break in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical WAITRESS at Dr. Phillips Center.  Delainey Silvestro, age 5, and Ella Helton, also age 5, will make their professional debut on the Walt Disney Theater stage next week. The girls visited the arts center for a tour of the theater and dressing rooms. Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, recent star of the Broadway production of WAITRESS, was in town to perform his Solo Acoustic tour at Dr. Phillips Center and took a moment from his sound check to meet the pint-sized pixies.  Mraz played Dr. Pomatter in a limited engagement in the musical at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre through February 11, 2018.

Even without big-name stars, 'Waitress' proves itself to be the right show at the right time.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming Washington, D.C. premiere of the irresistible Broadway musical hit WAITRESS, which comes to the National Theatre for a 3-week limited engagement from May 15 thru June 3, 2018.

Sugar. Butter. Flour. Welcome to the kitchen where Jenna (Desi Oakle) is baking up a fresh pie. She works tirelessly every day baking new pies and serving at Joe's Diner, only to have her abusive husband Earl (Nick Bailey) take her sweet earnings at the end of every shift. This all changes when Jenna discovers she is pregnant with Earl's baby.

Nearly three years after it premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, and while still enjoying a successful run on Broadway, the national tour of WAITRESS is serving customers at the Boston Opera House as part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston 2017-2018 season. The Diane Paulus-driven and directed production is adapted from the 2007 motion picture of the same name written by Adrienne Shelly, with book by Jessie Nelson, and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The Broadway designers are on board to bring the same creative elements to the tour, and a handful of the cast has also performed with the show on the Great White Way.

Stephen DeAngelis continues his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with his next edition of AT THIS PERFORMANCE… to be held on Monday, February 19th at The Green Room 42, Green Fig, Fourth Floor, Yotel NYC, 570 Tenth Avenue (at 42nd Street), New York, NY 10036 at 7 PM. Hosted by series Producing Artistic Director and Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis, the popular series allows performers to showcase their versatility and share anecdotes about their experiences. Performers scheduled for February 19th are Stefanie Brown (Cruel Intentions), Billy Bustamante (Miss Saigon), Pomme Koch (The Band's Visit), Blaine Krauss (Kinky Boots), Amy Hillner Larsen (The Marvelous Wonderettes), Stephanie Jae Park (The King and I), Nick Sacks (Dear Evan Hansen), Travis J. Shuler (Cruel Intentions) and Matt Wood (SpongeBob SquarePants). Musical Director/Accompanist for the evening will be Eugene Gwozdz.

A successful Broadway musical has always been anchored by an engaging story augmented by a great score. Over the years the formula hasn't changed much but the sound of the music certainly has, as popular music changes and evolves The 30's had Cole Porter, Burt Bacharach and his synthesizers appeared in the 60's, and Elton John's pop score succeeded for THE LION KING , so no one should be surprised that Sara Bareilles and her unique style of song writing could be next on the list. Her 2016 score to WAITRESS, now playing for a one week engagement at Shea's, earned her a TONY nomination and the show has a been a hit ever since.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature LES MIS, WAITRESS, PRSCILLA, and More!

The National Tour of WAITRESS - playing at the Hippodrome until February 4, 2018 - is the best version of this particular show I've seen. I originally saw the show on Broadway last summer, but I just didn't get it. It seemed a little disjointed to me. The first act is all fun, while the second act gets dark. However, after seeing last evening's performance of this story played out by this fantastic cast, I'm fully on board with what the writers had in mind. These cast members are supremely talented and perfectly suited for their particular roles - able to bring the comedy, as well as the heart and every emotion in between.

New Orleans is thrilled to announce WAITRESS will play the Saenger Theatre for a limited one-week engagement June 12 - 17, 2018. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, WAITRESS will close out the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2017-2018 season.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Book of Mormon, Waitress, Love Never Dies, and More!

Stephen DeAngelis continues his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with its next edition of AT THIS PERFORMANCE which was held on Monday, January 15th at the series' new home, The Green Room 42. This concert brought the series officially to 900 performers.

Overall, Waitress is a charming and confusing confection. All of the ingredients seem to be there. They aren't quite measured correctly, but who cares? It still tastes great!

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna a waitress and expert pie maker, who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Book of Mormon, Waitress, Love Never Dies, and More!