If you go on the corner of 256 West 47th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, you'll find a sweet show running in its second year called Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre that is right up your alley. Adapted from the critically acclaimed 2007 film which starred Keri Russell, this genuinely funny and wonderfully touching musical dramedy delivers its promises well, as compared to trying out a piece of pie with a new flavor.
Jenna Hunterson (Besty Wolfe) is a pie-maker as well as a waitress working at Joe's Diner in the deep south. At the diner, she has a cranky boss (Eric Anderson), two co-workers to rely on as friends (at the performance I attended, Anastacia McCleskey and Molly Jobe) and the elderly owner of the place (Larry Marshall) who gives Jenna some useful advice once in a while. But at home, Jenna has one big problem to deal with every night, her abused husband, Earl (Will Swenson). Soon, she has a bigger dilemma to handle, being pregnant as a result of a one night stand with Earl.
Her mind soon focuses on saving money to enter a pie-baking contest and to get out of Earl's life forever. In the midst of this, Jenna makes a friend with her new-to-town gynecologist, Dr. Pomatter (Drew Gehling). Their friendship instantly turns into an affair. But, Jenna begins to wonder what she really want in her life before it's too late.
Thanks to Jessie Nelson's fine libretto and Diane Paulus' superb direction, this musical adaptation is as adorable and heartfelt as the film itself. Scott Pask's sets and Christopher Akerlind's lighting design help give its setting in the south an authentic and bright look. The musical staging (in other words, choreography) by Lorin Latarro gives a fast enough pace to the proceedings on stage.
But the show's big centerpiece is its catchy and vibrant score by songwriter/singer-turned stage composer Sara Bareilles. Bareilles' songs convey the problems and situations many women (among them, Jenna and her friends) have in their everyday working lives. Going through many moods from bright ("Opening Up", "Never Ever Getting Rid of Me", "Bad Idea") to dramatic ("What Baking Can Do", its 11 o'clock number "She Used to Be Mine"), this is a score that's sure to listen in the mind days after seeing and hearing it.
As Jenna, Wolfe (from last season's revival of Falsettos) brings a touching performance as a woman trying to find her own path and making her own choices while expecting her own miracle of life. She's happily supported by an excellent supporting cast featuring McCleskey, Jobe, Anderson, Marshall and Swenson. But the role of the scene-stealer belongs to Christoper Fitzgerald playing Jobe's suitor. Trying to get her attention, he sings and makes a terrific fool to the audience in the first act, myself included. It was at this point that I laughed hard while I cried. I haven't had that feeling in a while, but it's amazing how a moment on stage like that can make me proud to experience the joys of live theatre.
Filled with laughs, romance and drama, Waitress tastes like a charming piece of Broadway heaven.
Note: Recording singer Jason Mraz ("I'm Yours") will take over the role of Dr. Pomatter for a ten-week run beginning November 3rd.
The Buzz on Waitress:
Rating: ***1/2 (Terrific. Go see it.)
Bottom Line: A funny and touching musical dramedy with a top-notch leading lady and a fresh and memorable score.
Recommended Best for: Ages 13 and up. Contains adult language and adult situations.
Playing at: The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 256 West 47th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue) for an open-ended run. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 877-250-2929.
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