Broadway Next? WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL Bookwriter Talks A.R.T. Premiere & Future Plans

Could WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL be heading for Broadway next?

The American Repertory Theater's new production of screen-to-stage adaptation WAITRESS is preparing for its premiere production in Cambridge, Massachusetts next month and the bookwriter for the show, Jessie Nelson, discusses the production and future plans for the show as part of a new interview with Christopher Ehlers in DigBoston from July 17, available here.

Of note, WAITRESS runs August 2 through September 27. Tickets are available here.

Nelson elaborates on what drew her to the property in the first place, commenting, "Well, it's an unexpected love story about falling back in love with yourself and...what your initial dreams were. I do think we all can identify with being in relationships where we have to kind of shrink to fit in order to survive them, whether it's a love affair or a partnership or business...where you're shrinking yourself in order to survive that relationship and then that wonderful feeling of breaking out of that and becoming your full self. I think it's such a powerful theme."

Furthermore, Nelson says of collaborating with pop hitmaker Sara Bareilles on the project, "It's always interesting when you embark on working with a new person, because so much collaboration is about establishing trust and I feel lucky in that I think Sara and I very quickly were able to establish that trust, and it's deepened over time. I think we both try to not be precious with each other and just kind of honestly express our ideas. She is really an amazing writer and I think she only made my writing better. I'm just so amazed by songwriting, you know, how one day there isn't a song and the next day there's this unbelievably beautiful song. It's such a gift to be able to do that"

Nelson shares of future plans for the show, "Yeah, there has been a lot of talk about moving it to Broadway, and we shall see. I don't know that world the best, but yes, there has been a lot of talk."

Check out the original article on the matter here.

Of note, the A.R.T. production is set to begin previews this August in Cambridge, Massachusetts, directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Chase Brock.

The official description of WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL is as follows: "Jenna, played by Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful), a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna must choose between her commitments and her dreams. Her customers, co-workers, and the town's handsome new doctor all offer her conflicting recipes for happiness-but Jenna ultimately has to decide for herself. This poignant and uplifting new musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the courage it takes to pluck a long abandoned dream off the shelf. Featuring music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song") and directed by Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland)."

More information on WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL is available at the official site here.

View a video of Sara Bareilles performing a song from the score live below.

Photo Credit: A.R.T.