The musical received mostly negative reviews from critics and widespread notoriety, winning five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Actress for de Waal.
She moved to New York City at the age of 22, where her Broadway appearances included Heather in American Idiot (2010) and Lauren in Kinky Boots (2014).
[6][7] In 2014 and 2015, she originated the roles of Dawn in Waitress and Mary Barrie in Finding Neverland at the American Repertory Theater.
[8] She was most recently cast and performed as the standby for Mrs. Lovett and the Beggar Woman in the 2023 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
From 17 January to 7 February 2024, de Waal played Mrs Lovett in between the stints of Annaleigh Ashford and Sutton Foster.