Broadway favourite WAITRESS is officially heading to Melbourne, with pre-sale tickets now available ahead of its highly anticipated premiere at Her Majesty’s Theatre from 1 May 2026. General public tickets are now on sale, with the production set to continue its Australian journey at the Sydney Lyric Theatre following the Melbourne season.
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, WAITRESS arrives with a global reputation as one of the most heartwarming and empowering musicals of the past decade. Featuring an all-female-led creative team, the production boasts a book by Jessie Nelson, an original score by Grammy® winner Sara Bareilles, and direction by Tony® Award winner Diane Paulus — a creative combination that helped make theatre history on Broadway.
At the heart of the story is Jenna, a small-town waitress with an extraordinary gift for baking pies and a quiet longing for a better life. Trapped in a difficult marriage, Jenna begins to imagine new possibilities when a baking contest, an unexpected romance, and the steadfast support of her fellow waitresses offer her a way forward. It’s a story of resilience, friendship and self-belief — warm, witty and deeply human.
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live shared his excitement about bringing the musical to Australian audiences:
“WAITRESS became a massive hit on Broadway where it played for almost four years, and was a huge success in the West End and across the world. With its memorable music by Sara Bareilles and universal themes of hope and resilience, WAITRESS has become a must-see musical.”
Since premiering on Broadway in 2016, WAITRESS has earned critical acclaim for its soulful storytelling and contemporary score, with praise including “a little slice of heaven” (Entertainment Weekly) and “sweet, sassy, passionate & delightful” (New York Magazine). The musical is also celebrated for breaking new ground, with all four top creative roles held by women — a milestone moment in Broadway history.
With its blend of humour, heart and irresistible music, WAITRESS promises to be one of the standout musical theatre events of 2026 — and a perfect gift for theatre lovers this festive season.
Melbourne Season
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: From 1 May 2026
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au
Sydney Season
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season: From 1 August 2026
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au
