Interview with Waitress London hero Desi Oakley
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Did you miss the news that [***Waitress***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx) London was recently saved by Broadway actress [**Desi Oakley**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/broadway-actress-desi-oakley-flown-in-from-new-york-to-cover-lead-west-end-role-of-waitress) when the West End Jenna’s (**Lucie Jones**, **Sarah O’Connor** and **Olivia Moore**) were too ill to put on the apron? After flying over especially, initially just for a week, Desi has saved the West End production of everyone’s favourite pie show by being our Jenna for almost two weeks now before [**Sara Bareilles**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/sara-bareilles-to-join-west-end-waitress-cast-along-with-gavin-creel) takes over next week (from 27 January).
We were lucky enough to catch up with the star and ask her a few burning (don’t worry – not pie burning) questions all about her West End *Waitress* experience. Read below to see what **Desi Oakley** had to say…
### **Desi Oakley** Q&A
**1.** You made your West End debut and saved the London production of *Waitress* all in one stroke! How was that experience?
**Desi**: I cannot express how special this entire experience has been - I’ll try with a few words I would use to describe it: magical, surreal, awakening, inspiring, and meant-to-be. I didn’t realize how much I would need this. It all fell into place, the company embraced me with open arms, held me up so I could soar, and the audiences and fans have been so loving. It’s a dream come true, to say the least.
**2.** You played the original Jenna in the US tour of *Waitress*; how did it feel to put on the apron again?
**D**: I did - it comes so easily in the way that I know the bones and heartbeat of the show, it’s engraved in my spirit — and Jenna is like a return home.
**3.** Now that you’ve made your West End debut (in the most whirlwind way possible), are you wanting to return to the London stage at another point?
**D**: WHERE DO I SIGN? It is now my personal mission to return to London in any/every way possible! I fell in love with the city, the people, the West End, and the entire experience. I already cannot wait to return.
**4.** After you finished playing Jenna in the *Waitress* US tour, you released your second solo album?! Is being a singer/songwriter a path you always wanted to take? And how do you fit that in with your musical theatre career?
**D**: Thank you for asking this! My writing is so important to me. It’s always been a passion - and I’ve decided most recently in my life that I can pursue both songwriting and performing on Broadway with the same amount of gusto. There are plans for a Christmas album 2020, and more, more, more to come!
**5.** You’ve just saved the West End *Waitress* production, after flying over especially, but what’s next for you?
**D**: We’ll see — I’ve got several irons in the fire. But after starting 2020 and the new decade this way, I’m convinced that anything can happen. And that’s an amazing feeling.
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[***Waitress***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx) is closing up the pie diner at the [**Adelphi Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/3/adelphi-theatre.aspx) on 4 July 2020. Be sure to book your *Waitress* tickets now and avoid missing out!
🎫 [**Book your London *Waitress* tickets here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx).