On the surface, a musical like Waitress may seem a bit too quaint. Who would want to follow the story of a pregnant woman as she navigates smalltown life while trying to escape a miserable relationship? It’s not exactly the material that screams feel good. Despite what it looks like, it’s what’s inside that has drawn audiences to the show for a near decade now. With an infectious songbook by Sara Bareilles, the results are an incredible dedication to what humanity can do when asked to help each other. Smiles abound as a the audiences’ stomachs rumble for pie. It’s a one of a kind piece of theater full of warmth and humor that keeps serving delicious scene after delicious scene.
The setting is simple. Most scenes take place in a diner as Jenna spends her work shift dealing with cantankerous customers and coworkers who have their own dramas. One is dating the fry cook while another has taken to a goofball Civil War reenactor that she met online. As background actors sit in background booths and the orchestra/band sits on the stage, the story unfolds with a quiet dexterity that emphasizes the potential of the stage.
During an opening motif, Jenna mixes a story of her love life with the nature of baking a pie. It’s here that the background actors become more crucial to the story. Even if few have significant solo roles, they service the story by filling in the gaps. As she stands before a table, one places an apron over her. Another hands her a bowl while two others act out a fantasy based on her pie of the day. Food could be impersonal, but for Jenna it’s a chance to create autobiography through her passion. The first noteworthy one is “Betrayed By Me Eggs Pie,” which is itself a G-Rated compromise of a much dirtier gripe.
It's this type of humor that carries throughout the show. It’s a story that recognizes the communal ways that lives center around food. Even if Jenna is the only prominent creator, she shares her gifts with everyone in a way that creates happiness. The food jokes are a step above canned punchlines. The effort is greatly appreciated as various props within the diner become gags for the musical numbers, such as mixing ketchup in a mustard bottle. The emotions play to the back of the room while feeling grounded in something real. Even as relationships get steamy and the story flirts with risqué set pieces, there’s still that passion and love for each other centered around food.
The execution is unconventional. The dance numbers rarely feel traditional. The aforementioned opening alludes to dreamlike sequences to come, where the background dancers pass along pie plates and shift tables in ways more akin to interpretive dance. Even then, it adds to the beauty of the larger story. The romanticism of a perfect life is never misappropriated through tragic irony and instead builds as a quintessential underdog story of someone attempting to be freed of their torment. It’s in the small moments that the musical shines, allowing everything to blossom with introspection alongside brilliant melodic craft.
It's to the credit of La Mirada Theater’s cast that this story continues to pop with urgency all these years later. In an age where a lot of darkness exists outside the theater doors, it’s refreshing to see Waitress promote ideals of hope and optimism. There’s a unity that exists in every frame and builds to one of the funnier hospital scenes put on a stage. Even then, it never trivializes characters simply for being different. Even someone as confusing and offbeat as Ogie is allowed to embrace his passions for impromptu poetry without risk of ridicule. It’s silly and maybe not the most profound, but it works within the framework. It’s a supportive group and it creates a dream that reality should more strive for.
Along with photo opportunities in the lobby, they have gotten into the heart of things by selling their own pies at shows. It’s a novel way to support the group that continues to do some of the best theater in Southern California. While they have some amazing work on the way, including Fiddler on the Roof with Jason Alexander, it’s important to support them whenever possible. Their work is a step above the competition and features some high production in their execution. Even with many cast members transitioning from the original tour, the show’s just as successful in presenting the story.
Waitress is a show that lives with its heart on its sleeve. It’s impossible to ask for a sweeter show than one that produces such rich emotions alongside a great songbook. Everything comes together in this production and leaves the audience appreciative of what this humble waitress has to say. All it asks is to be patient and lean forward in a seat while taking in every beat. There will be laughter and tears, but they’re all working towards the same rewarding goal. It’s one of the quintessential musicals of the modern age and La Mirada’s work here deserves to be ranked as some of the best in 2024.
Comments
Post a Comment