REVIEW: THEATRE AQUARIUS’ WAITRESS IS A SLICE OF BROADWAY PERFECTION…
Julia McLellan as Jenna
Sugar. Butter. Flour. A simple start to a musical driven by complex themes and even more complex emotions. Waitress, composed by Sara Bareilles with book by Jessie Nelson, was adapted from the 2007 film version starring Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion. It was nominated for Best Musical (among others) in 2016 and had a pro shot created in 2021 starring Bareilles in the lead role. The story focuses on the life of extraordinary pie maker Jenna and her two friends/co-workers, Dawn and Becky, who face life’s challenges such as unexpected pregnancy, affairs, online dating and a longing to start a new life beyond their quaint diner and its patrons.
Upon entering the theatre, Waitress immediately wows the audience with its stage design by Scott Penner, which is, dare I say it, even more impressive than the Broadway version. It feels lived in and there’s a notable authenticity to every prop used in the show. The scenes on stage transform seamlessly from the diner to Jenna’s home to the doctor’s office, and include clever lighting design choices by Michelle Ramsay to denote reality versus fantasy sequences. These are just some of the exceptionally planned and implemented creative choices from director Rachel Peake and her production team.
Bareilles’ songwriting prowess is part of what makes this musical as beloved as it is. There are ballads, duets, group numbers that fluctuate between being upbeat and hilarious to downright heart-shattering. There is strong variety, but they fit well together with the emotional core that runs through it all. The live band, led by musical director Patrick Bowman, enrich every song and showcase some great talent on musicians tasked with playing multiple instruments throughout. Those familiar with Bareilles’ piano pop performances will understand perfectly why the stunning Julia McLellan was cast as Jenna. She is rarely offstage for more than a quick change and carries the majority of the songs with tremendous vocal range and emotional reverence. There’s a reason why “She Used to Be Mine” is Waitress‘ signature song and McLellan’s performance sent the opening night audience into a frenzy of applause.
Equally impressive are the sweetly, shyly romantic “When He Sees Me,” sung by neurotic and endearing Dawn (played to perfection by Elysia Cruz), the awkward if contextually inappropriate “It Only Takes a Taste,” (performed by Kamyar Pazandeh as charming and adorkable Dr. Potmatter) and even the shockingly erotic but highly catchy “Bad Idea” (performed by McLellan and Pazandeh).
The cast all have their moments to shine, especially the ensemble who play multiple roles and assist with intricate choreography, props and set changes. McLellan and Pazandeh display believable chemistry and sense of trust between them (especially in their more intimate scenes) and their harmonies together are swoon-worthy. Tyler Pearse stood out, in large part because the steadfast and strange Ogie is a scene stealer whenever he steps onstage (also drawing enormous applause from the opening night audience). I also enjoyed any moment our waitressing trio shared the stage: their earnest dynamic (particularly in “The Negative” and “A Soft Place to Land”) showcase realistic and tender moments of friendship between women which is the heart of the production.
Some parts of the show may make audiences uncomfortable, whether by its subject matter or scenes between Jenna and her abusive husband Earl (what a performance by Lawrence Libor), and Peake’s direction here demonstrates her thoughtful ability to navigate scenes of darker, tension filled moments. She struck the perfect balance between humour and hardship throughout, making for a truly compelling production. Acknowledging hope and accepting that everything changes (whether you are ready for it or not) is an overall positive message and a satisfying conclusion to this slice of perfection of a production.
Waitress entices its audience with a story that isn’t shy to address subject matter such as affairs, domestic abuse and unwanted pregnancy amidst very relatable characters with seemingly ordinary lives. It allows for a greater sense of understanding why people make the choices they do and how to triumph over life’s challenges through friendship, determination and, of course, baking. Theatre Aquarius’ season finale production is Broadway caliber talent and staging combined. Give Waitress a taste. You’re sure to enjoy it.
Intrigued by What Prop Use Can Do? Check out my piece with Intermission Magazine discussing the set design and props in Waitress here!
The cast of Waitress at Theatre Aquarius
Featuring: Julia McLellan (Jenna), Stacey Kay (Becky), Elsyia Cruz (Dawn), Lawrence Libor (Earl), Kamyar Pazandeh (Dr. Pomatter) and Tyler Pearse (Ogie)
All photography by Dahlia Katz
