Key Details for Waitress in Chicago
- Waitress 10th Anniversary National Tour plays a six-day engagement at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre from October 13–18, 2026. The run includes eight performances and ends with a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, October 18.
- Direct ticket links are available for the October 15–18 shows. Each performance runs 2 hours 30 minutes with one intermission at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60603.
- The touring production features music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, a book by Jessie Nelson, and direction and choreography re-created for the road by Abbey O’Brien.
- Weeknight evening shows on Thursday and Friday offer straightforward access, the Saturday matinee works well for families, and the Sunday matinee marks the final Chicago performance.
- OnesToWatch Live gathers ticket links, venue details, and schedule information so theatergoers can choose dates and plan their visit before the engagement closes.
Get Waitress Chicago Tickets on OnesToWatch Live
Chicago Performance Schedule and Ticket Links
The Chicago engagement spans eight performances across six days, with past and upcoming dates listed in order. All shows take place at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60603, with a 2 hour 30 minute runtime including one intermission.
Past Performances
- Tuesday, October 13 — 7:00 pm
Opening night of the Chicago engagement with a single evening performance. - Wednesday, October 14 — 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
The only weekday with two performances, featuring a midday matinee and an evening show. Both performances have concluded.
Upcoming Performances
- Thursday, October 15 — 7:00 pm
A single evening performance and the first date with a direct ticket link through OnesToWatch. This show suits midweek theatergoers who prefer a slightly quieter house than the weekend dates.
Buy Tickets for Thursday, October 15 - Friday, October 16 — 7:00 pm
The Friday evening performance offers a natural entry point for weekend visitors arriving in Chicago. It features a 7:00 pm curtain and a 2 hour 30 minute runtime with intermission.
Buy Tickets for Friday, October 16 - Saturday, October 17 — 2:00 pm (Matinee)
The Saturday matinee offers the most family-friendly slot of the final weekend. A 2:00 pm curtain allows time for dinner in the Loop after the show ends around 4:30 pm.
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 17 Matinee - Saturday, October 17 — 7:30 pm (Evening)
The Saturday, October 17 evening performance at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre features the latest curtain of the run at 7:30 pm. This penultimate performance often draws a high-energy weekend crowd.
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 17 Evening - Sunday, October 18 — 2:00 pm (Final Performance)
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm marks the final scheduled performance of Waitress at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, closing its October 13–18, 2026 run. No evening show is scheduled that day. The 2:00 pm curtain places the final bow around 4:30 pm. After October 18, the tour continues with a single-night stop in Champaign, IL on October 19, making this matinee the last opportunity to see the show in Chicago.
Buy Tickets for Sunday, October 18
Creative Team and Critical Response
Waitress features music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, a six-time Grammy nominee, and a book by Jessie Nelson. The original Broadway production was directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus with choreography by Lorin Latarro. It opened on Broadway on April 24, 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and received a 2016 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical. The 10th Anniversary tour presents direction and choreography re-created by Abbey O’Brien.
The story centers on Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who seeks a way out of her small town and difficult marriage. She enters a nearby county baking contest and looks toward a possible fresh start. The Chicago Tribune’s April 24, 2016 review described Waitress as “an empowering Broadway musical” and praised it as “an empowering musical of the highest order.” Entertainment Weekly’s Broadway review called the show “a sweet slice of a show” that is “warm and endearing,” a sentiment often paraphrased in marketing as “a little slice of heaven.” New York Magazine ran its review under the headline “Waitress, Sweet and Sassy” and highlighted the musical as “sweet, sassy and passionate.”
Venue Details and Ticket Logistics
The James M. Nederlander Theatre sits at 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60603, in the heart of the Loop. The venue previously operated under the name Oriental Theatre. Nearby parking is available at 20 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 and can be reserved in advance through Broadway In Chicago’s parking page. The theatre is reachable via multiple CTA lines that serve the Loop. Groups of 10 or more can arrange tickets by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.
A limited number of $49 day-of-show rush tickets may be available for all performances of Waitress. These rush seats are sold only at the theatre box office on the day of the performance when the box office opens, with a limit of two tickets per valid ID. Availability is limited, restrictions apply, and seats may be single and/or limited view.
How Waitress Fits Chicago’s October 2026 Theater Calendar
The Waitress engagement arrives during a busy October 2026 theater month in Chicago, giving audiences several musical options. Other productions in the same window include Come From Away at the Marriott Theatre through October 18 and Kokandy Productions’ revival of Jekyll & Hyde at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place from September 8 through October 25, 2026. Million Dollar Quartet runs at the Stolp Island Theatre from October 7, 2026 through January 3, 2027. The Book of Mormon opens at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on October 23, shortly after Waitress closes.
At the James M. Nederlander Theatre, the next production after Waitress is Mrs. Doubtfire: The New Musical Comedy, scheduled for November 24–29, 2026. On the broader Waitress 10th Anniversary National Tour, the Chicago stop counts among the longer engagements on an itinerary that spans more than 70 cities across the United States and Mexico from September 18, 2026 through at least June 27, 2027.
Choosing the Right Performance Date
The Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 evening performances provide straightforward options for theatergoers with flexible schedules who want direct ticket access and a traditional night out. The Saturday, October 17 matinee works well for families and for audiences who prefer an afternoon show with the evening free. The Saturday evening and Sunday closing performances carry the final weekend’s sense of occasion for those who want to experience the last Chicago dates.
Official single tickets for Waitress at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (October 13–18, 2026) are available at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or in person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Single ticket prices range from $43.00 to $121.00, with a select number of premium seats and additional fees for online purchases. Buying in person at a Broadway In Chicago box office avoids online fees. Secondary market platforms also list tickets, although prices there may exceed face value.
FAQ
What is the closing date for Waitress at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago?
The final performance of Waitress at the James M. Nederlander Theatre takes place on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm. No evening performance is scheduled that day. After October 18, the 10th Anniversary National Tour continues to Champaign, IL for a single-night stop on October 19, 2026.
What are the showtimes for Waitress in Chicago during October 2026?
The full schedule for the October 13–18 run is: Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 pm; Wednesday, October 14 at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm; Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 pm; Friday, October 16 at 7:00 pm; Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm. The engagement includes eight performances across six days.
How long is Waitress, and does it have an intermission?
Waitress runs 2 hours and 30 minutes and includes one intermission. Theatergoers can use this timing to plan dinner reservations or transportation after the show.
Where is the James M. Nederlander Theatre, and what was it previously called?
The James M. Nederlander Theatre is located at 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60603, in the Loop. The venue was previously known as the Oriental Theatre. Parking is available nearby at 20 E. Randolph St., and the theatre is accessible via several CTA lines.
Where can audiences buy Waitress tickets for the Chicago run?
Official single tickets for Waitress at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (October 13–18, 2026) are available at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or in person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Buying in person avoids online service fees. Day-of-show rush tickets at $49 may be offered at the Nederlander Theatre box office when it opens on the day of each performance, limited to two per valid ID. Groups of 10 or more can contact Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.