Sara Bareilles' Waitress musical confirmed for Sydney Lyric Theatre
Six years after Covid crushed its Australian dreams, the Broadway sensation Waitress is serving up a fresh start in Sydney.
The long-awaited Australian premiere of the musical Waitress has finally been confirmed after the coronavirus pandemic scuppered its original dates more than five years ago.
The show was originally set to play the Sydney Lyric Theatre in 2020 with pop singer Delta Goodrem tipped to play the lead role, but the pandemic lockdowns put an end to that.
Now, producers Crossroads Live have confirmed the show will make its way down under from July 2026 at the same venue.
Waitress, which is based on the 2007 film of the same name, first premiered on Broadway in 2016 and was nominated for four Tony awards and a Grammy.
It made history for being the first Broadway musical to have the top four spots in the creative team filled by women – Sara Bareilles (music and lyrics), Jessie Nelson (book), Lorin Latarro
(choreography) and Diane Paulus (direction).
The show became a magnet for major theatre stars during its two runs on Broadway and in London with the likes of Greatest Showman star Keala Settle, Shoshana Bean, Betsy Wolf, Smash star Katharine McPhee and even Bareilles appearing in the show at various points.
“It’s been a dream of mine to see Waitress (finally) find its way to Australia,” said Sara Bareilles.
“This story is about dreams, friendship and the courage needed to learn to love oneself, which feels so universal, and so timely. Over the years, we have witnessed such an incredible embrace of this show, and I’m so proud to be a part of the team that is bringing you something so full of heart and soul. I’m so excited for Sydney audiences to experience
Waitress.”
The musical is about a waitress and baker who finds the secret ingredient to happiness and escapes her unhappy marriage.
The film starred Kerri Russel as well as writer and director Adrienne Shelley who was murdered shortly before its release.
A waitlist for tickets to the musical are available at waitressthemusical.com.au
Originally published as Sara Bareilles' Waitress musical confirmed for Sydney Lyric Theatre
