Live theatre enthusiasts have long awaited the arrival of Waitress The Musical to Australian stages, and this production certainly did not disappoint. Based on the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, the musical features original music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. This production is praised for its engaging storyline, humour, memorable musical numbers, and consistently strong performances across the entire cast.
Full credit goes to the creative team, particularly director Diane Paulus, for outstanding casting, with every performer perfectly suited to their role. Choreography by Lorin Latarro was polished and energetic, with performers moving confidently around the stage and each musical number transitioning smoothly throughout the production.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Jenna is undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the show. She draws the audience in as the talented pie-maker trapped in an unhappy marriage. Her acting is genuine and believable, while her singing is outstanding throughout the performance.
One of her strongest performances comes with “She Used to Be Mine”, performed with emotion, honesty, and vulnerability. The song connected strongly with the audience, capturing feelings of sadness, disappointment, and loss of identity. It was one of the standout moments of the night.
Alongside Bassingthwaighte, Mackenzie Dunn shines as the awkward, nervous, but lovable Dawn. Dunn brings plenty of humour and charm to the role, making Dawn both funny and relatable. Her relationship with Gareth Isaac as Ogie is one of the highlights of the production. Isaac is energetic, funny, and completely entertaining from the moment he appears on stage, and his performance was a crowd favourite.
Strong performances also came from Keanu Gonzalez as Earl, Jenna’s selfish and controlling husband — a character the audience quickly dislikes — and Rob Mills as the awkward but likeable Dr Pomatter. Mills brought warmth and humour to the role, creating a natural connection on stage with Bassingthwaighte.
Another standout performer was Gabriyel Thomas as Becky. Strong, funny, and loyal, Becky becomes one of the most enjoyable characters in the show. Thomas delivered a confident performance throughout, with her rendition of “I Didn’t Plan It” standing out as one of the strongest vocal moments of the production, showcasing the richness of her voice and her natural stage presence.
The staging is to be commended, especially with the Waitress Band positioned visibly on stage. This added energy to the production and helped create a lively atmosphere throughout the performance.
Standout musical numbers included the opening number “What’s Inside”, the humorous “When He Sees Me”, the entertaining “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me”, and the emotional duet “You Matter to Me”.
This production of Waitress is full of humour, emotion, warmth, and sincerity. It is a show that will make audiences laugh, feel emotional, and leave the theatre t entertained. With outstanding performances, memorable music, and a story that connects strongly with audiences, Waitress is a production well worth seeing.
For more information and tickets, visit WAITRESS The Musical
