This is how the newest Broadway musical, 'Waitress,' is making history.
Something historic is happening on Broadway.
Broadway’s newest musical, "Waitress," is already poised for success.
It’s an adaption of the beloved 2007 indie film starring curly-haired genius Keri Russell. In the film, Russell plays Jenna, a small-town — you guessed it — waitress who’s unhappy with her marriage and her lackluster life in general.
She does have one creative outlet, though: pie-making. (For example, “I-hate-my-husband pie.” Mmmm, resentment.)
Tony-winner Jessie Mueller, left, will star in the Broadway version of the film. Here, she hangs out with the composer of the show, Sara Bareilles. Image via video interview with cast and crew by Broadway.com/YouTube.
The Broadway show is also busting barriers: It boasts an all-female core creative team for the first time.
“Whaaaaat?” You may be thinking. Yes, it’s true: Having four women lead a Broadway musical in roles of writer, scorer, choreographer, and director hasn't happened before. I know, I know. But the day has finally come, and our feminist goals are being met left and right. Hillary! Beyoncé! Those funny tampon ads!
GIF from "The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards."
Traditionally, a musical’s core creative team consists of four key roles.
Those roles are writer, director, choreographer, and composer. And in "Waitress," these roles have all been filled by women. Who are these crazy-talented people? Count ‘em up, chief.
First up is Lorin Latarro, a powerhouse choreographer with past credits like "American Idiot" on Broadway and the delightful "This American Life" musical with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Hey, Lorin! Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images.
Then there’s Tony-nominated director Diane Paulus, bringing her skills to the staging of the musical.
Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Time.
Jessie Nelson took on writing the whip-smart, darkly funny musical. And as for the composer role, singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles crafted a collection of new songs just for the production.
“I’m thrilled that 'Waitress' is breaking boundaries as the first Broadway musical with book, score, choreography and direction by a team of women,” Paulus said in a recent press release.
“It’s a historic and long overdue moment for Broadway, and I’m honored to be working alongside such passionate and inspiring women.”
Here’s to more women behind the scenes. More women in the scenes. More women everywhere!
The call for more substantial female roles on stage and on screen has been well documented, as it should be. But the fight for power behind the scenes gets less attention. That’s why it's exciting to see a squad like this one coming together to call the shots for a big-deal Broadway musical. It’s certainly cause for a dance party.