Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film and brought to life by a trailblazing female-led creative team, including a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson, an original, uplifting score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles and direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus, Waitress is the irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope that has captured hearts worldwide.
Here is part one of the group interviews from the Waitress: The Musical media call with Natalie Bassingthwaite who plays Jenna.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte on what she loves about playing Jenna:
“I love that Jenna is raw and vulnerable and she’s unapologetically herself. She’s very grounded in her environment and her upbringing, but I love the journey that she goes on in this show. It’s very emotional, but it’s also really beautiful, and it’s very empowering to go through everything that she goes through on stage and come out the other side a better person, a better version.
We’re all just trying to survive this crazy, wonderful life that we’re blessed with, but it’s challenging, right? Like life isn’t all roses and cupcakes, it can be really tough. But I don’t think there’s one person in the audience that doesn’t have stuff in their life that they’re dealing with, have dealt with, going through, moving through, whatever, and that’s the beautiful element of this show. It highlights and showcases real human connection and real human emotion.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte on feeling Jenna’s emotions every night:
“It’s such an emotional show and when we were in rehearsal, we had to run the scene before [the show’s most emotional number, She Used To Be Mine], it was a lot. The scene is quite emotional and aggressive. The first time I [sang the song], I was bawling my eyes out. My whole nervous system was shaking because it was hard to go from that scene into the song. I sang the whole song crying, and I’m like, “I’m not gonna be able to do it [every night],” but it’s a privilege. It’s a privilege to be able to tell that story.
So, it’s very difficult. I cry every night without fail, because it’s in your cells. Like heartbreak, emotion, trauma and tragedy are in ourselves, whether we like it or not, so it’s very easy for me to access the emotion if I’m in the moment, but then it’s harder to sing the song. That’s the beauty of it. Jenna is not perfect. She’s messy. It’s not supposed to be a perfect show for her. It’s letting it all out, being very vulnerable and raw. And that’s what I love about this character too.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte on what surprised her about the role:
“I’m not sure what surprised me. I just feel grateful to be able to tell a truthful story. It’s fun to be all like costumes and ‘la di da’ and do all that. [But] to be telling a story like this is very empowering. I don’t know if I’ve learned maybe resilience, that you can overcome anything and you can get through anything with support and friendships. It takes time [but] anything is possible.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte on people who don’t expect the dramatic and emotional elements in the show, and how they relate to it:
“People come up to us and tell us their stories, and that’s the beauty of what we get to do. It’s advertised [as joyful], and it is, but there’s a heart and a soul and a pulse throughout the entire piece. That’s the difference that sets it apart from other shows. People are really connected to it. Everyone can relate to someone on that stage. We’re flawed as humans. We’re not perfect.
The only other show I did a long time ago was Rent, and Rent connected with people in a similar way, like people are lining up and they’re saying, “I’m coming back, I’m coming back.” And it’s thrilling, because you’re gonna come back and see the show again, like, 2,3,4,5, times. It’s really special, and it speaks a lot about the show and the performers that are in it as well.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte on working with the young cast playing Lulu:
“Oh, the Lulus are so gorgeous. It honestly lifts everyone up in this show to have the little ones come on. The first day they arrived at rehearsal, they’re so nervous, and they’re [now briming with confidence].
They bring life to the piece, which is often forgotten about. The younger generation bring something really special, and it’s really nice to see that full discovery of what happens after the fact. I think that’s a really clever part that they do in the show.”
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Waitress the Musical is playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne until July 9, then playing at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from August 1st.
Read our review here.
Tickets and more information via waitressthemusical.com.au
Photo supplied/ by Jeff Bubsy
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 