[THEATRE REVIEW] WAITRESS @ Her Majesty’s Theatre Review (2026)
A lot of flour, a little sugar, some eggs, milk, fruit and love. Everyone likes to know the ingredients which go into the making of pies. However not too many customers think about what goes towards making the woman who bakes them and brings them to their table.
At ‘Joe’s Pie Diner’ flavour comes alive thanks to their speciality. PIES. While she may deceptively seem like “just” a waitress Jenna (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) is the brains behind it all. With the passion and creativity taught to her by her mother she creates unique daily specials. Working alongside her best (only) friends Becky (Gabriyel Thomas), full of attitude & Dawn (Mackenzie Dunn) mousy and shy. There’s also the “company” of her lousy, loser, deadbeat, dickhead, husband, Earl (Keanu Gonzalez). One day while serving crotchety old Joe himself (John Waters) Jenna’s morning sickness implies that she may have something else than today’s special in the oven!
Shocked at this situation but wanting to go through with the pregnancy Jenna must re-evaluate her life. A surprise fling with her gynaecologist, Doctor Pomatter (Rob Mills) reminds her what it feels like to be loved. With the Springfield Pie competition and it’s cash prize approaching Jenna summons all her courage to leave Earl and start a new life. It might not be that simple however and maybe it’s all just a recipe for disaster!
Based on the heart-warming 2007 romantic comedy by the late, great writer-director Adrienne Shelly, John Frost & Crossroads Live presents ‘Waitress’ the Musical. With a book by Jessie Nelson and music & lyrics by Sara Bareilles this brilliant, award winning and delicious musical celebrates it’s 10th anniversary. 10 years of female empowerment, toe-tapping amazing dance routines and making the audience hungry for pie! What better time for it to make it’s Australian premier!
I was in the somewhat unique position as I hadn’t actually seen the Keri Russell starring 2007 original film. This allowed me to dive into the show with no preconceptions and no idea of where the night may take me. At Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne’s CBD I was blown away by a thoroughly uplifting and masterfully performed musical extravaganza.
The story of Waitress may not feel like the most out of the box tale of a woman finding her own voice and yet there’s something so magnetic about it. Jenna finds herself trapped in a loveless and abusive marriage where it’s actually her job where she can explore a love of her craft she escapes into. After many years she’s been conditioned to accept her lot in life yet the positive influences around her assure her she can be so much more.
Her pregnancy journey at first may be seen as something which pulls her closer into an abyss of a marriage. Yet through her experiences and seeing the lives of those around her she begins to see true happiness. She finally believes that she is better than what Earl tells her she is. That she deserves more than what he has given her and sets out to find it.
Australian superstar Natalie Bassingthwaighte blows the stage away with her performance as Jenna. Both funny, kind and loveable with pipes on her to bring the house down! Rob Mills as the dreamy Doctor Pomatter Jenna finds herself drawn to as he finds himself drawn to her. Their illicit affair crossing boundaries of both marriage vows AND professional ethics yet the two actors are so fun to watch together that we can understand the position they find themselves in!
The supporting characters are great and, if anything, steal the show at some points! As Jenna embarks on her own journey of self discovery so too do her co-workers! Becky & the manager/cook Cal (John Xintavelonis) have their own love/hate shenanigans which are a joy to experience. While I think the surprise of the night would be the arrival of “Ogie” (Garath Isaac), Dawn’s first ever date who turns out to be an obsessed yet completely adorable nerd. Who assures her through the funniest song of the night that she is “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me”!
This is in stark contrast to the much more dangerous obsession of Earl with “You Will Still Be Mine”. A song which implies ownership more than devotion. There are songs throughout providing soul, power-ballads where the cast blow the roof off the theatre. But what really blew this reviewer away was the impressive direction by Diane Paulus and the show’s technical aspects.
On the back of several theatre shows where I’ve been subjected to actors MIMING actions due to the lack of actual props there’s something palatable about seeing a woman making a cake for real. Or at least mixing a bunch of actual ingredients, putting icing on an actual pie etc. Characters juggling and catching items thrown across the stage with gusto. It sounds like an odd thing to mention but it’s these little things which highlight the amazing choreography throughout. Whether it be the swift changeover of Scott Pask’s great sets the lighting by Ken Billington or of course the numerous dance sequences often featuring the entire cast and ensemble by Lorin Latarro.
Not a foot was out of place, not a single line flubbed, there wasn’t a cock-up the entire show….until the finale where it seems a single letter on a giant neon sign failed. It was an ironic blooper moment however all things considered really!
Waitress remains a fantastic show which will live on for many years to come. Ten years after the musical’s launch, nearly 20 years after the death of it’s creator Waitress is a tale of resilience, empowerment, friendship, hope and simply finding one’s voice. It’s not a masterpiece. The second act is much more enjoyable than the first and it is a simple story with simple characters. But it’s as endearing now as it was all those years ago when it first lauched and this new production stays true and carries the flame for another generation of young women!
4 out of 5
Waitress is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne’s CBD. For tickets visit https://waitressthemusical.com.au/