Japanese language premiere of WAITRESS opens in Tokyo

Photo credit: Waitress Japan

The acclaimed Broadway musical Waitress opened at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo last night, marking the first production of the show to open since the pandemic began.

Due to restrictions on travel and other logistics, there was an unprecedented protocol and process in creating the new Japanese language premiere of Waitress.

Whilst some members of the creative team went to Japan and quarantined prior to rehearsals, others had to work remotely thousands of miles away; with the Associate Director overseeing rehearsals via a video link to London and lighting, sound and production supervision for technical rehearsals operated out of New York City.

The Japanese cast of Waitress is led by Mitsuki Takahata as Jenna, with Mamoru Miyano (Dr. Pomatter), Emma Miyazawa (Dawn), and LiLiCo and Rinko Urashima alternating in the role of Becky.

The record-breaking musical has music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, a book by Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Diane Paulus.

Producer Barry Weissler said, “Over the course of our show's history, we have often said, ‘where there's a whisk, there's a way. That motto has never been more true.’

“In baking up the premiere Japanese language production of Waitress, we have been forced to go off recipe. Each department has had to reach back in their cupboards to discover new ingredients, not long forgotten, but ones we never knew we had.

“We are so grateful to the international effort of this incredible team, scattered across the globe, navigating multiple time zones and technological platforms, who in the face of unprecedented challenges in an ongoing global pandemic has managed to still find the way.”

Waitress plays at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo until 30 March, before visiting the Hakataza Theater in Fukuoka, Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka and Misonoza in Nagoya.

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