Based on Adrienne Shelly‘s 2008 film “Waitress” with Keri Russell, “Waitress: The Musical” is one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals in recent history. It ran for more than 1500 performances at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, and returned for a limited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre after Broadway reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
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Now, the hit show based on a movie gets the movie treatment itself, with “Waitress: The Musical” hitting theaters this December. In the film, Sara Bareilles stars as Jenna Hunterson, a small-town waitress in a loveless marriage who enters a baking contest as a last attempt at happiness.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Waitress: The Musical,” courtesy of Bleecker Street:
Waitress: The Musical brings the Tony-nominated Broadway phenomenon to the big screen. Featuring composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles as Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna fights to reclaim a long-forgotten part of herself. Through the support of her fellow waitresses and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take a long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose and the beauty of a well-baked pie.
Along with Bareilles, “Waitress: The Musical” also stars Eric Anderson, Charity Angél Dawson, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Drew Gehling. Caitlin Houlahan, Dakin Matthew, and Joe Tippett round out the main cast.
Brett Sullivan directs the film, while Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus does so for the stage. Jessie Nelson also serves as creative advisor. Barry and Fran Weissler lead producers with Bareilles, Nelson, and Paul Morphos. Alecia Parker serves as executive producer.
“Waitress: The Musical” hits theaters on December 7. Watch a trailer for the film below.