As part of this month’s Miracle or 2 Monthly Marquee, we’re turning our attention to the hilarious and empowering WaistWatchers The Musical! We sat down with the show’s creator, Alan Jacobson, to talk about the inspiration behind this feel-good musical, its history of performances across the globe, and the joy of bringing laughter and body positivity to the stage.
What inspired you to create WaistWatchers The Musical!?
I saw the shifting economics and costs associated with both producing and attending live theatre and felt there was a need for good small cast musicals. Having seen a couple other small cast musicals I thought of what would be topical and universal. Food was the first thing that came to mind so I searched for a show to produce. When I couldn’t find one that I thought was good I took a wild chance on writing one myself, something I had only done on a small scale for my wife’s drama classes. I’ve always been one to take risks in business and life and simply went for it.
How would you describe WaistWatchers The Musical! to someone who’s never seen it?
It’s a fun show about a universal theme, the obsession we all have with food and how we have this preoccupation with the many ways that food and eating impact our lives.
How has WaistWatchers The Musical! evolved since it first premiered?
First of all it was originally called Food Fight, which was a title I came up with to exemplify the obsession and struggles we have within ourselves. Unfortunately a number of people misinterpreted the title so I changed it to Food Fight: A Musical Comedy For Waistwatchers. That title was better once I changed it to WaistWatchers The Musical it resonated so much more with audiences and was much more commercially viable. Also after the world premiere in Jupiter, Florida I made some changes to the songs, adding some and subtracting some, and fleshed out the characters more.
WaistWatchers The Musical! has been performed in many theaters worldwide. Can you share some highlights from the show’s journey so far?
The audiences have loved the show from the very beginning, from the world premiere to the revised version to even after we changed the music from pure parody to original music. It’s shown me that the show taps into the psyche of the audiences, is something they connect so well with, and has been bulletproof as a show for all theaters, professional or community. Having a tour in Australia was really exciting and now we’ve been playing in Mexico City in Spanish for the last year and a half, and it’s still going strong. That has also shown the universality of it. They laugh at all the same jokes, bits, and situations, and they relate to the characters’ journeys.
What has been the most rewarding part of seeing WaistWatchers The Musical! on stage?
Seeing my vision come to life and bringing joy to so many people. It’s also been rewarding how it has impacted so many people to think more about their health and fitness, as well as to be happy with who they are no matter what.
The show has some great musical numbers. How did you decide on the musical style for WaistWatchers The Musical!?
I wanted to have a mix of funny and poignant songs and to further the story and points I was trying to get across. I especially love Broadway music, pop, and standards, and wanted songs that are familiar, relatable, and that fit the lyrics. So there’s no one style per se but a nice blend.
The humor in WaistWatchers The Musical! is such a big part of its appeal. Was that always a key element in your vision for the show?
Absolutely. I wanted the characters to be relatable, have their journeys be relatable, and yet be able to make fun of themselves and some of the crazy things people will do to be what many perceive to be “perfect” physically and spiritually, but is really elusive for most and not what is really important.
For theaters looking to produce WaistWatchers The Musical!, what should they focus on to make the show a success?
Keep it light, have actors who know how to bring out the humor and not “play for the comedy” but can play out the truth of their characters, and can truly sell the emotions of the songs. If you have strong comedic actors and kick-ass singers the audiences will love it and be on their feet at the end. The other thing is strong marketing. Lesser known shows need strong and clever marketing.
What’s next for you? Are there any new projects on the horizon?
I never considered myself a playwright or writer but thankfully this show has been both a welcome surprise to me and a blessing and my goal is to bring it back to the USA since I’ve taken back control of it, as well as to get it to more theatres around the globe. There’s so much of this country and the world that still needs to see this show so that will be my focus. So no more shows to write. At least for the near future.
Thank you, Alan, for sharing your insights and the heart behind WaistWatchers The Musical! It’s been a pleasure featuring your work this month. If you’re interested in bringing this hilarious and empowering musical to your stage, click here. Stay tuned for more spotlight features in our Miracle or 2 Monthly Marquee series!