A sweet and juicy masterPIEce
Watching Waitress: The Musical was like gorging on a delicious slice of pie after months of miserable self-denial. Sweet, funny and unexpectedly moving, this production serves up a warming dish of delicious comfort food. The wit, emotional complexity and theatrical flair transforms Adrienne Shelly’s film Waitress (2007) into a show that feels as though it was born to be a musical.
The opening word of the first song, ‘sugar’, sets the flavour. Sara Bareilles’s score combines catchy melodies with emotional warmth. Lucie Jones captures Jenna’s sweet nature with her rich vocals and open expressions. Her co-stars also go down a treat, bringing distinct, complex characters to life with unstoppable energy and physical comedy. The humour is witty and at times outrageous, frequently leaving the audience in stitches. Particular favourites were Ogie with his acrobatic – at times, asthmatic – stage presence, and Old Joe with his thin veneer of grumpiness that sweetens over time.
But it is not merely a sugary sweet story. Beneath its playful surface sits an emotional richness, with mature subjects such as pregnancy, relationships and abuse. The show follows the not-so-sweet life of a woman who feels trapped in her job and marriage, and dreads becoming a mother. The characters navigate difficult decisions amid moments of tenderness, showing love and encouragement that gives our main character hope. The mixture of comedy and serious material makes the show more fulfilling, like a pinch of salt that brings out the sweet flavour.
The visual ingredients are equally well judged. The set design of the café immediately catches the eye with its realism and use of space, set against a stunning sky backdrop that darkens and lightens with the passing of time. The dinginess of Jenna’s home with her rotten husband Earl provides a sinister contrast. Costumes, props and stagehands are all seamlessly interwoven, letting the audience peek through the window into an utterly convincing world.
The storyline follows a recipe you think you recognise, then takes unexpected turns before arriving at a satisfyingly sweet result. A seemingly simple setup and small range of locations and characters combine into unique, nuanced situations that ripen as they bake. Everyone feels real, with their own problems, insecurities and justifications. It’s a story that invites you not to judge so harshly, but to open your heart with kindness. A few tears were shed towards the end!
This musical has zesty comedy, warmly appealing music and heartfelt performances, all blended into a richly satisfying evening. It’s juicy and sweet, with enough emotional bite to make every mouthful memorable. Beneath the laughter lies a story that gives its characters room to struggle, stumble and find reasons to hope. It leaves you feeling nourished, uplifted and glad you came.
Catch Waitress: The Musical at the Lowry in Manchester. Tickets here.