Rehearsal Round-Up! Behind The Scenes Of WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL

Go behind the scenes of WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL!

Pop superstar Sara Bareilles's hotly anticipated stage adaptation of the popular indie comedy WAITRESS is preparing for its premiere production in August at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a look inside rehearsals is now available to view with a series of new social media posts.

The A.R.T.'s official blog has released several new details about the ongoing rehearsal process this week, sharing new information on the staging of several of the show's biggest numbers, including the opening number, "Opening Up", as well as the solo spotlight song "When He Sees Me" and more.

Blogger Nina Goodheart writers, "Choreography for "Opening Up," which is probably the most complex song to stage in the entire show. Monday morning found cast members throwing plates like Frisbees, with plastic pieces of pie flying in all directions. It was amazing to watch our choreographer Chase Brock lead the cast through each meticulously crafted section of the song, and finally weave them all together until Joe's Diner was running like a well-oiled machine. (And it's always fun to see Sara Bareilles sitting front row, drumming on the stage and beaming as her music bursts into physical form.)"

Additionally, Goodheart writes, "Blocking "When He Sees Me," a solo for the sweet and shy waitress Dawn, played by Jeanna de Waal. This song provided an excellent example of Diane Paulus's collaborative process. Jeanna showed up with tons of great ideas for actions to evoke Dawn's debilitating anxiety about a potential blind date, so Diane set her loose to try things out. Jessie Mueller and Keala Settle jumped in too, and eventually Diane had the whole group walk through the number, pausing every few lines to finesse a beat or a joke. At one point, Jeanna stood up and sang a chorus from on top of a table, then quirked her head and asked, "Too much?" Diane replied, "It's a musical!" In under an hour, the song was well on its way to being a showstopper."

View the full A.R.T. Tumblr account here.

Additionally, several new photos of the cast and creative team in rehearsal for the show are now available to view, as well, courtesy of the show's official Facebook page and featuring photos by cast members and production team members including Nina Goodheart, Keala Settle, Chase Brock, Corey Mach and more.

Follow the American Repertory Theater on Facebook here.

Check out BroadwayWorld's coverage of WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL and their cast picnic, available here, as well as several items on the rehearsal process and much more, available here and 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.

View the new WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL images below.

Photo Credits: Facebook & A.R.T.