A musical a few girl trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive husband whereas pregnant with a child she doesn’t need whereas working a thankless job could not seem to be a feel-good, emotional triumph, but that’s precisely what “Waitress” is, and by the tip it’s going to have you ever smiling and cheering.
The musical, that includes music and lyrics by Grammy winner and Tony nominee Sara Bareilles, is now enjoying at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, the primary Midwest firm to supply the Broadway hit. Directed by Katie Spelman, it’s based mostly on the 2007 film of the identical identify that was written and directed by the late Adrienne Shelly, who additionally performed a supporting position within the movie.
Whereas the film, included by IndieWire in its 2024 checklist of “Finest American Impartial Movies of the twenty first Century,” is certainly good by itself, the musical provides extra depth to the characters, together with extra laughs.
That’s to not say that all the things about “Waitress” is nice. Just like the pies made by lead character Jenna, performed fantastically by Michelle Lauto in her Paramount debut, there’s positively a tart taste too — principally offered by her possessive husband Earl, performed very successfully by Ian Paul Custer.
In contrast to within the film, within the musical we be taught that Jenna witnessed her mom was in an analogous relationship and sadly, like so many victims of home abuse, finds herself trapped in her personal cycle as an grownup. Earl is the black cloud that blocks the solar in Jenna’s life, at the same time as she holds onto hope that her yet-to-be-born daughter can keep away from that sort of relationship — one other level the musical addresses higher than the film.
The musical incorporates a rotating stage that alternates between Joe’s Diner and Pie Store, the small-town enterprise the place Jenna works; the lounge of the house she shares with Earl, and the workplace of her married obstetrician Dr. Pomatter. The primary act focuses totally on Jenna’s work life and the marvelous pies she makes, pies that present her hope that she will enter and win a contest to get cash to lastly depart Earl. It introduces us to Dr. Pomatter and ends with the 2 kissing — starting an affair that’s central to the second act.
Whereas each Jenna and her physician are married, and each the characters and viewers each know the connection can not present her salvation, we root for it nonetheless as a result of we simply need Jenna to have somebody who permits her, as she sings to her unborn child in a single scene, to say “issues that matter to somebody.”
Jenna’s fellow waitresses Daybreak (Kelly Felthous) and Becky (Teresa LaGamba) present a lot of the hilarity. Daybreak is a peculiar girl who hasn’t discovered love in a very long time, till assembly Ogie, a fellow nerd performed by Jackson Evans, who nearly steals the present. Rounding out the primary forged is Jonah Winston as Cal, the road cook dinner and grouchy boss at Joe’s Diner, and proprietor Joe, performed by Ron Rains, who supplies each a voice of cause and a particular shock late within the present.
The present options some racy language and sexual innuendo that most likely make it advisable to maintain kids at residence, however principally is a enjoyable story of an underdog that you simply can not assist however admire. Whereas home abuse is a severe topic with none humor, the musical laughs on the absurdity of the each day conditions the characters discover themselves in quite than the best way Earl treats Jenna. The ending could also be a simplistic fantasy however is definitely refreshing in a world of too many productions which might be overly didactic. Merely put, “Waitress” is a triumph and immensely satisfying.
