Maiesha McQueen, Christine Dwyer and Ephie Aardema in the National Tour of Waitress. Photo Credit Geoff Burke.
Not your usual musical, "The Waitress" spins a sugar-y sweet tale, yet there's plenty of heartbreak, too. The musical is based on Adrienne Shelly's 2007 independent film about a small-town Southern waitress who has a talent for baking pies, but has her self esteem and confidence crushed by an emotional abusive husband. Then, after a drunken night, she finds herself pregnant by him, adding to her depression.
Grammy nominated pop writer and singer Sara Bareilles wrote the music, and it gives the show a modern, pop-rock feel. The band, placed strategically on stage, has a piano at its center, then drums, bass and string player, who switches off between electric cello and guitar.
Christine Dwyer plays the mom-to-be, piemaking waitress, Jenna, who ends up fancying the new gynecologist in town, Dr. Pomatter (Steven Good). He takes a shine to her too, but it's a little unsettling. His wife, who we meet in the second act, is a medical resident at the hospital, and it just makes Pomatter's indiscretions not cool.
National Tour of Waitress. Photo Credit Philicia Endelman.
Comic relief is found in the form of Jenna's two waitress mates (Natasha Williams as Becky) and nerd Dawn (Ephie Aardema). In the kitchen is Cal (Ryan G. Dunkin) and the owner of Joe's Diner, who has his regular table and has a very particular way he likes his food served, played by Richard Kline, known to television watchers from his recurring role of Larry on "Three's Company."
There's some stuff that doesn't make for a happy musical including the extremely abusive Earl (Matt DeAngelis) who is abusive to the core. And plenty of extramarital affairs that would bode better on a daytime soap.
Ephie Aardema, Christine Dwyer and Maiesha McQueen in the National Tour of Waitress. Photo Credit Geoff Burke.
Amping up everything for extreme comic effect is the elfin suitor, Ogie (Jeremy Morse), whose the crowdpleaser with his bring down the house song "Never Getting Rid of Me."
Dwyer is full of emotion as the torn and tattered Jenna, whose deceased mother appears to her, encouraging her to continue her talent for baking. Dwyer, who played Elphaba on Broadway and in the national tour of "Wicked" shows her range in the heartwrenching “She Used to Be Mine.” Bring out the hankies.
Rheaume Crenshaw, Christine Dwyer and Steven Good in the National Tour of Waitress. Photo Credit Philicia Endelman.
Lorin Latarro's quirky choreography of the restaurant patrons is worth paying attention to. It's unusually different.
This national touring company inhabits the endearing characters. By the end of the night, you'll feel like you've spent the evening with people you've known your whole life.
Broadway Across America's national tour of “Waitress" runs through March 3 at Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami. Show times are 8 p.m. with additional matinee performances on Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m. and on Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. Tickets range from $34-$129. For more information, call 305-949-6722 or go to www.arshtcenter.org
