In a career spanning decades, Rob Mills has always had two dream roles in his sights. The first was Prince Fiyero in Wicked, the charming and complex love interest for both female leads. He originated the Australian role in the 2009 production, captivating audiences with his performance and becoming a beloved figure in the musical theatre scene.
The second role that has always drawn him in is Dr Jim Pomatter, the gynaecologist and unexpected love interest of Jenna, the titular pie baker in Sara Bareilles’ Waitress. Mills first saw the Broadway production during a trip to New York a decade ago and was immediately smitten. “I like to go see shows when I’m over there, it’s always like, ‘Could I be in any of these?’ And I saw Waitress, and I just fell in love with it,” he says. “It’s funny. It’s a dramedy, I suppose, but with the perfect music.”
Mills has been performing on stage for over 20 years and firmly believes that some emotions can only be conveyed through song. “I’d already been a fan of Sara Bareilles – my friend Ben Abraham had already performed with her and toured with her and written with her, and I just love her music,” he explains. “She knows when to write the songs. A good musical always knows when you can no longer say the words you need to say, you move into a song. And she does it perfectly with this.”
Mills has finally landed his second dream role and will bring Dr Pomatter to life in the first Australian production of Waitress. The show, however, nearly didn’t happen. It was originally scheduled to open in 2020 but was delayed due to the global pandemic.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Waitress follows Jenna, a talented pie baker working at a diner who dreams of escaping her abusive marriage and turning her passion into a career. After discovering she is pregnant, escape seems impossible – until she meets Dr Pomatter, the charming replacement for her regular doctor.
A married gynaecologist having an affair with a patient might seem controversial, but in the context of the show, it becomes a powerful and nuanced storyline. “We’re in a post-MeToo world,” Mills acknowledges. “They’ve obviously done some work on this script over the years. She kisses him! Everything is on the line for him – his marriage, his licence.”
The role of Jenna is played by the incredibly talented Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who has become a close friend of Mills. They first met during an arena production of Grease in 2005, though they weren’t in the same scenes and didn’t know each other well. “I wouldn’t say we were friends, but certainly not enemies,” Mills recalls. “Now, we’ve grown closer through this show.”
Mills is known for his friendly and approachable nature, often described as the ultimate nice guy. When asked if he has any enemies, he laughs and confidently replies, “I don’t have any enemies.” He adds, “No, no enemies.”
The entire cast of Waitress has embraced the show’s uplifting message of community and support. One particularly memorable exercise involved each cast member presenting their character in a unique way, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and personal journey. “It was one of the best things I’ve ever done,” Mills says. “It helped us all find more depth and playfulness in our characters.”
At its core, Waitress is a story about friendship, resilience, and finding one’s voice. “We like to call this show beautifully mundane,” Mills says. “It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a Moulin Rouge, but you’ll go away feeling so much for the characters – seeing one of your friends in the characters, or seeing yourself.”
The show also explores themes of love, lust, and infidelity, but with a nuanced and human approach. “It’s quite a taboo thing in Australia,” Mills notes. “But with this one, it’s very nuanced, and it’s very human.”
Dr Pomatter’s character is portrayed with care, even though his actions raise ethical questions. “This is not in the script, but maybe there’s a little lack of communication between Francine and Dr Pomatter,” Mills suggests. “If he was getting everything he needed from his partner, there’d be no need to…”
Mills, who has written a book on male mental health titled Putting on a Show: Manhood, Mates and Mental Health, brings a deep understanding of human relationships to his portrayal of Dr Pomatter. His research highlights the challenges men face in expressing their needs and desires, which he believes may influence the character’s decisions.
The show opens with an a cappella number, featuring Sara Bareilles’ iconic lyrics: “Sugar … sugar … sugar, butter, flour…” This moment, along with the rest of the show, has left a lasting impact on the cast. “When we finished our first run-through, we all sat together, moved by the beauty of what we’d created,” Mills recalls. “One of the guys said, ‘Let us never forget this moment.’”
Waitress is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne and will open at Sydney Lyric Theatre on August 1.
