SARA BAREILLES’ WAITRESS, THE MUSICAL – LIVE ON BROADWAY! FILM TO BROADCAST IN TIMES SQUARE AS PART OF TRIBECA FESTIVAL 2023
Tribeca Festival, The Times Square Alliance, and TSX Entertainment announced today that for the first time in history, a Tribeca Festival film will play simultaneously in Times Square for free. Waitress The Musical- Live On Broadway! is a filmed version of the TONY Award-winning Broadway hit and will have its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival on Monday, June 12 at the BMCC theater. Simultaneously, it will be broadcast with sound through the TSX app onto TSX Entertainment’s 18,000-square-foot digital screen overlooking Times Square, including the broadcast of an introduction by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles. There will be 300 seats available in Times Square at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 47th Street, provided on a first come, first served basis. The screening is expected to start around 7:30pm ET on Monday, June 12th and a downloaded TSX App will provide sound for each audience member so they can tune in using their own phone and headphones. This event is presented by Tribeca Festival in association with the Times Square Alliance and TSX Entertainment.
“Tribeca Festival and Broadway are both NYC institutions, and I’m proud to have Waitress The Musical- Live On Broadway! bring together these audiences for the first time,” said Sara Bareilles, star, producer, and music and lyrics writer. “It is a tremendous honor to get to celebrate this show that I love so much in a way that only New York City can do! This is a love letter to the vitality of the theater community and the great spirit of the Tribeca Film Festival, two essential constellations that make up this universe of a city.”
What is Waitress The Musical about?
“Waitress The Musical- Live On Broadway!” is a heartwarming story that follows the life of Jenna Hunterson (Sara Bareilles), a pie-maker and waitress stuck in an unfulfilling marriage in a small town. Jenna finds solace in baking and dreams of winning a baking contest in a nearby city to escape her mundane life. When Jenna becomes pregnant, she decides to take control of her life with the help of her co-workers and a new town doctor. She confronts her past, faces her fears, and makes life-changing choices. Based on the beloved film of the same name, the musical adaptation was created with original music and lyrics by singer Sara Bareilles and captured audiences’ hearts during its run around the world. This spirited and visually stunning recording was filmed during a live Broadway performance of the musical, “Waitress, the Musical – Live on Broadway!” captures the essence of the original production beautifully. The film features an exceptional performance by Sara Bareilles herself, who steps back into the role of Jenna. Immerse yourself in this wonderful world, and then go get yourself some pie!
Is this the same show you see on the stage?
The musical debuted on Broadway in April 2016 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Musical Theater Album” and four Tony Awards, including “Best Musical.” In September 2021, it returned to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre with Sara Bareilles, who is also currently nominated for a 2023 TONY Award for “Best Actress in a Musical” for her performance from INTO THE WOODS. WAITRESS, THE MUSICAL has an original score by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Sara Bareilles, which, after successful runs on Broadway, the West End run as well as on tour in the US and UK, is preparing for multiple international productions as well as the distribution of a live capture film.
Wasn’t this already a movie?
Waitress The Musical is a musical adaptation of Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 Sundance film favorite written, directed by and starring Adrienne Shelly, as well as Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion. Adrienne Shelly was a funny, silly, smart, cool and naturally gifted actor, writer and director. Her film career launched in 1988 with her starring role in director Hal Hartley’s acclaimed “The Unbelievable Truth”, followed by the classic Trust two years later. She appeared in over twenty other films, including 2005’s “Factotum” with Matt Dillon. She wrote, directed and starred in three feature films, “Sudden Manhattan”, “I’ll Take You There” and “Waitress”, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, was purchased hours later by Fox Searchlight Films, and went on to critical acclaim and box-office success and later became the basis of the smash-hit Broadway musical of the same name. Another of her film scripts, “Serious Moonlight”, directed by Cheryl Hines and starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton, was released in theaters December 2009 and is currently in development as a screen-to-stage adaptation.
Will the movie be screened traditionally at Tribeca as well?
Yes, the Waitress The Musical- Live On Broadway! will have traditional screening during the run of the Tribeca Film Festival! The tickets are limited but can be purchased on the website here or if it is already sold out you can participate in a ticket rush. Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre. The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
Screening information:
Monday June 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET at BMCC TPAC
Tuesday June 13, 2023 at 5:15 PM ET at AMC 19th St East 6
Thursday June 15, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET at Village East by Angelika
Sunday June 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM ET at SVA Theatre
Take a look:
About the Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, music, audio storytelling, games, and XR. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The annual Tribeca Festival will celebrate its 22nd year from June 7–18, 2023 in New York City.
