The long awaited Australian premiere of Waitress is finally hitting the stage in Melbourne and it is already generating a lot of audience excitement. This heartwarming and empowering musical tells the story of Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who longs to escape her rocky marriage and start again.
Ahead of the official opening night this week, The Scoop sat down with Keanu Gonzalez, who plays Jenna’s husband, Earl. Keanu talks all things Waitress, including the joys and challenges of playing Earl, career highlights so far and what sort of pie he would be. Read the full interview below.
Earl is a complex and confronting character. How have you approached finding the humanity in him without softening his impact?
I think finding the humanity in Earl actually makes him more confronting, not less. Most people are not evil for the sake of it, so I try not to judge him. I focus on what he wants, what he fears, and how he justifies his behaviour. If I played him as a villain, it would feel one-dimensional. Letting his humanity come through makes his actions land in a much more unsettling and real way.
What has surprised you most about tackling Waitress as a show during rehearsals?
I think what surprised me most is how prop-heavy it is for me. I assumed that because I am not in the dance numbers, I would not be juggling much, but it is the opposite. I am often handling multiple props at once, so it has been a real exercise in staying present and precise while still keeping the performance alive.
You made your professional debut at just 16. Looking back, what stands out to you as turning points in your career so far?
There have been a few real turning points for me. Playing Bernardo in West Side Story was my first lead role and a huge step in confidence. Then, going on as Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton was a massive moment, both in responsibility and scale.
Being cast as Kenickie in Grease felt like another shift forward in my career. Singing the national anthem at the MCG for an AFL finals crowd of over 90,000 was also a standout, just in terms of the sheer scale and pressure.
And now, playing Earl in Waitress feels like a different kind of turning point. It is pushing me into something more grounded and truthful as an actor, which has been really important for my growth.
Is there a role or style of work you’re still itching to tackle? Bucket list roles or shows perhaps?
Playing Earl has really strengthened my passion for grounded and truthful work. I am drawn to characters that feel raw and human, where the stakes are real, and nothing is played on the surface.
I would love to explore work like The Outsiders, and I am definitely keen to move further into television and film. That kind of storytelling really excites me because it demands a different level of intimacy and honesty as a performer.
You and Mackenzie Dunn seem to keep finding yourselves in the same productions: Grease, Annie and now Waitress. Do you have a favourite memory from working together across those shows? And will we see another awesome crossover costume video on TikTok?
There are honestly too many memories to pick just one. Across all those shows, we have had a lot of fun together and always found a way to make each other laugh, which has been really special.
Sadly, no crossover costume video this time. We are not paired up in this show, and we do not even share a single line together, which is kind of wild considering our track record. But I would not rule it out in the future.
What advice would you give to young performers coming out of training now and trying to find their footing?
One of the biggest things I have learned is the importance of finding your people. This industry can feel uncertain at times, so having people around you who understand you, share your passions, and keep you grounded makes a huge difference.
It is easy to feel like everything will fall into place once you book the next job, but it is the support of family, friends, and like-minded people that actually gives you the resilience to keep showing up. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and make you want to be better, because they are what will carry you through the long game.
Finally, Waitress is all about pie. If you had to pick one pie that sums up your personality, what would it be and why?
I’d be a salted honey and rosemary pie. Warm and sweet at first, but with a bit of an unexpected edge. I like exploring new things and pushing myself creatively, so there’s a slightly experimental side in there too, but it all comes back to connection and heart.
Keanu Gonzalez appears in Waitress, on now in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre. 219 Exhibition Street Melbourne Vic 3000.
It runs in Sydney from 1 August 2026 at the Lyric Theatre.
Get tickets for Melbourne here and tickets for Sydney here.
Website: https://waitressthemusical.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/waitressau/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/keanugonzalez/
Photo credits: Cameron Grant
