November-December 2019 - Cover Story: Waitress at Popejoy Hall
Popejoy Hall brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Waitress, to the stage this December. This touring cast is lead by the talented Bailey McCall. McCall is no stranger to Broadway. She has been in such productions as Grease, Xanadu and the National tour of Cabaret. She made her Off-Broadway debut as Penny in The Big Bang Theory: A Pop-Rock Musical Parody! Waitress has been a great experience to add to her resume.
McCall plays the role of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new - show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it.*
Waitress opened in April of 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The musical is based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, It is the first Broadway musical in history to have all-women creative team in the four top spots - the book by Jessie Nelson, score by seven-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (composer of “Love Song” and “Brave”), choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus. The tour company features the talents of choreographer Abbey O’Brien and tour director Susanna Wolk. The show also includes set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Suttirat and Anne Larlarb, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design Jonathan Deans, Musical arrangements for the tour are handled by Nadia DiGiallonardo and Sara Bareilles. Orchestrations are also handled by Sara Bareilles and The Waitress Band. Original music is supervised by Nadia DiGiallonardo, with tour music supervision by Ryan Cantwell.
We were excited to learn that this production will have a local addition. Two New Mexico actresses were chosen for the role of Lulu. Five-year-old Annabeth Burnett and Genevieve Miller will alternate the role of “Lulu,” Jenna's daughter, during the show's 6 show engagement. The girls were chosen after an audition process presided by the Waitress company members. Annabeth loves to sing and dance both at home and in public. After her audition, she said "I had so much fun. I didn't want it to end!" Her performance experience includes Christmas and Thanksgiving shows at her preschool. She writes her own songs and choreographs her own routines. "Annabeth has been moving and grooving since she was born," shared Annabeth's mom. "She has been the most expressive kiddo I've ever met!"
Unlike Annabeth, Genevieve does not have any prior acting experience, but she is constantly pretending to be different people and animals - always drawing her family into her imaginary world - assigning roles as she sees fit. Genevieve is very excited to be cast in the show.
Waitress is running at Popejoy Hall from December 12th-15th. Tickets are on sale at www.popejoypresents.com.