Famed Australian musical, ‘Waitress,’ has unfortunately been cancelled for the Sydney season, which was supposed to begin on August 1, 2026, at the Lyric Theatre. The shows were scheduled to end on July 19, 2026, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. The producers shared the difficult decision, as they could not bear the cost despite the audience’s enthusiastic engagement.Here’s a closer look at the devastating decision to cancel ‘Waitress: The Musical’.
The Sydney leg of ‘Waitress’ is officially cancelled
Based on the 2007 film written by Adrienne Shelly, the musical first premiered in 2016 with songs written by Grammy award-winner Sara Bareilles and received international fame through multiple tours. However, producer John Frost cited economic pressure—specifically rising interest rates impacting the cost of living—as the reason their hands were tied, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.“Regrettably, the Sydney season of Waitress will not proceed,” the statement read, before adding, “Ticketmaster is actively engaging with ticket holders with further information regarding refunds. We understand that this is disappointing news, and we sincerely thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.”The production had opened in Brisbane earlier this year, before traversing to Melbourne. Directed by Diane Paulus, the ‘Waitress’ musical features Gabriyel Thomas, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Rob Mills, and Mackenzie Dunn. While the official announcement has yet to be made, the Sydney show dates have been removed from their official website.
Australian musicals: A series of cancellations
This cancellation marks the fourth musical to have its dates cancelled. Earlier this year, ‘Beetlejuice the Musical’ announced the closing of its curtains in Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide. Meanwhile, ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ cancelled the national tour last November and closed early in Sydney. Furthermore, the performances of ‘Aida,’ dated for February 26 and 27, 2027, have been cancelled.
