PBS Cancels Broadcast of Filmed Version of Waitress

PBS has canceled the scheduled broadcast of the filmed live capture of the Sara Bareilles musical Waitress, which was set to premiere on November 15 as part of the Great Performances series. A PBS spokesperson confirmed to Playbill: “The production of Waitress: The Musical was removed from the PBS fall schedule due to unforeseen contractual circumstances.”

Sara Bareilles, the Tony-nominated composer and star of Waitress, reassured fans on Instagram, writing: “Fear not babes! We ❤️ @pbs and things find their way! No worries.”

Waitress, adapted from the 2007 film, features a book by Jessie Nelson and a Tony-nominated score by Bareilles. The musical was developed and premiered by Massachusetts’ American Repertory Theater before making its Broadway debut in 2015. It received four 2016 Tony nominations, including Best Musical. The production returned to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following the COVID-19 shutdown, running from September 2, 2021, to December 20, 2021. Bareilles first took on the role of Jenna as a replacement for original star Jessie Mueller and headlined two additional limited engagements during the original run, as well as a stint in London’s West End prior to the shutdown.

The live stage capture of Waitress premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and received a wide theatrical release in December 2023, later becoming available on demand online. The filmed version features Bareilles as Jenna Hunterson and includes the entire cast from the show’s 2021 Broadway return, such as Christopher Fitzgerald in his Tony-nominated role as Ogie, Drew Gehling as Dr. Pomatter, Charity Angél Dawson as Becky, Caitlin Houlahan as Dawn, Eric Anderson as Cal, Dakin Matthews as Joe, and Joe Tippett as Earl. The ensemble cast includes Tyrone Davis, Jr., Matt DeAngelis, Andrew Fitch, Henry Gottfried, Molly Jobe, Emily Koch, Max Kumangai, Anastacia McCleskey, Gerianne Pérez, Stephanie Torns, and Nyla Watson.

Waitress, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler alongside Norton and Elayne Herrick, features sets by Scott Pask, costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting by Ken Billington, and sound by Jonathan Deans. Nadia DiGiallonardo served as music supervisor, with casting by Telsey + Company’s Pat Goodwin. The stage production was directed by Diane Paulus, with Brett Sullivan directing the film capture and Nelson serving as creative advisor. Alecia Parker was the executive producer of the screen capture, with Michael Roiff, Barry and Fran Weissler, Bareilles, Nelson, and Paul Morphos as producers.

PBS’s fall season will still include programs featuring John Leguizamo, Cynthia Erivo, Kristin Chenoweth, and others.