By Caden Mustoe and Hannah Mustoe
Broadway Across America‘s latest offering, Waitress, is the yummiest thing to hit Salt Lake at the Eccles Theatre and it’s sweet as pie to watch. Based on the 2007 movie, Waitress is the story of Jenna (Desi Oakley, and on 9/28 Christine Dwyer), a waitress trapped in a terrible marriage whose life takes a turn for the worse when she finds out that she is pregnant by her abusive husband Earl, making leaving this man rather complicated. Because Earl controls the money, Jenna decides to enter the state fair pie contest. She is an amazing baker who whips up a new pie every day with flavors and textures that wow the customers at the diner.
The diner’s employees, manager/cook Cal (Ryan G. Duncan), Dawn (Lenne Klingamen), and Becky (Charity Angel Dawson) are not only good friends but as close as family. As Jenna bakes and bakes, she gathers confidence, she “comes out of hiding” emotionally and it is a beautiful thing to see. Things go awry when Jenna gets drunk and sleeps with Earl and becomes pregnant. When she becomes pregnant, she goes to see her new gynecologist, Dr. Jim Pomatter, played by our favorite performer, Bryan Fenkart. He is adorkable–we loved his timing and the cadence he has delivering his lines. Pomatter plays a key role in the story, but we’re not going to give it away.
Reminiscent of roles from the popular movie then TV show Alice, Waitress isn’t breaking any new ground with characters, but the incredible music by Sara Bareilles takes this over the top and especially delighted Hannah, a dedicated Bareilles fan.
The set, created by Scott Park, is nothing short of spectacular. We are looking at a diner from pots and pans to a super cool counter as a backdrop for the show. Costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb are darling and appropriate and combined with the minimal but effective choreography (Lorin Latarro) gave Hannah her favorite moment in the show when all the waitresses take off their baking aprons, swoosh on their waitress aprons and in sassy, synchronized fashion, slap on their nametags. Though not a dance heavy show, there is enough dancing to keep your toes tapping to the upbeat music supplied by Bareilles and an added bonus is her music is piped in during scene changes.
Because Broadway Across America shows are well-rehearsed and therefore, nigh close to perfect, to say the acting and singing are amazing is important but obvious. Director Diane Paulus gives her cast a strong female presence, much appreciated in today’s #metoo climate. Music Director Robert Cookman, Sound Design Jonathan Deans, orchestrations by Sara Bareilles and the Waitress Band, and Music Coordinator John Miller really bring Waitress to life and the music is by far what we loved the most. In fact, we have listened to the show’s playlist over and over since seeing the show. Lighting Designer Ken Billington adds a wonderful aspect by showing time of day with lighting. It adds a curious emotive quality we enjoyed.There are a few swears but no F bombs, and there is a theme of affairs and other themes that may be better suited for teens and up. For those of you considering taking your youngsters, be advised that this show deals with many adult issues. There is a lengthy scene in the second act depicting the sexual pursuits of our three main protagonists. While there isn’t any nudity, the characters are shown in positions and acts that it’s very clear what they are engaging in. The show overall would probably be rated TV-14 if it were aired on television.
Broadway Across America at the Eccles in Salt Lake is a true gem in the Utah theater scene and Waitress is the most current gem we got to enjoy. Waitress is a ton of tasty fun!
Broadway at the Eccles Presents Waitress
Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Broadway at the Eccles Facebook Page
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