Sara Bareilles Shares Her Favourite Jennas in ‘Waitress’
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Sara Bareilles, the talented singer-songwriter, recently gave an exclusive interview to PEOPLE where she disclosed her favourite leading ladies who have taken on the role of Jenna in the popular Broadway musical, ‘Waitress’. During the show’s run on Broadway, it showcased a rotating cast of top-notch talents, including newcomers, Hollywood stars, and seasoned stage performers. Bareilles, who composed the music and lyrics for ‘Waitress’, also had multiple stints playing the lead character, Jenna.
When asked to highlight her preferred Jennas, Bareilles mentioned, “I could go on and on. There are so many. Nicolette Robinson is the first one that comes to mind. I just think she’s a really beautiful actress and she played the role with a kind of simplicity that really struck me.” She went on to praise other actresses like Shoshana Bean and the remarkable Jessie Mueller, who originated the role of Jenna. Bareilles expressed her admiration for the incredible women who have portrayed Jenna and emphasised the excitement of witnessing new productions of the show, including the current one in Mexico City presented in Spanish.
Bareilles reminisced about how ‘Waitress’ had a profound impact on her life, especially as she witnessed various performances of the show. She mentioned being impressed by the talents of Alison Luff, Jordin Sparks, and Katharine McPhee, among others. The breadth of talent that graced the role of Jenna left a lasting impression on Bareilles, who expressed her joy at the show’s expanding reach to regional theatres, providing more opportunities for diverse productions.
‘Waitress’ made its much-anticipated streaming debut on Max, introducing audiences to the captivating story of Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and pie maker aiming to break free from her loveless marriage by entering a baking contest. Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, the musical originally opened on Broadway in 2016 with a stellar cast featuring Jessie Mueller as Jenna. The movie adaptation stars Bareilles alongside other talented performers, bringing the cherished musical to a wider audience.
Bareilles, who originally portrayed Jenna in 2017 on Broadway and later reprised the role in London’s West End and on Broadway in 2021, reflected on the journey of ‘Waitress’ from stage to screen. She described the process as a “labor of love” and expressed gratitude for reaching this point in the show’s evolution. The adaptation of the musical for the screen was captured during a Broadway re-staging and received its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023.
In conclusion, Sara Bareilles’s insights on the enduring legacy of ‘Waitress’ and the exceptional talents that have graced the role of Jenna offer a glimpse into the richness of the Broadway musical scene. As ‘Waitress’ continues to captivate audiences through streaming platforms, the magic of live theatre transcends physical boundaries to touch the hearts of viewers worldwide.