This production of Waitress at Artistry serves up the best slice of this modern American classic yet. Portions of this review not specific to this production are taken in part from my review of the touring production at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in 2022. I know, I know, another musical based on a movie, the difference is this time it wasn’t a blockbuster hit movie that everyone and their grandmother saw. This time, the musical is based on an independent film that your Grandmother probably didn’t see. Chances are you haven’t either, but you should, and you should see this musical as well. The film was released in 2007 starring Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion and co-starring the films Writer/Director Adrienne Shelly. It’s cult success was bittersweet due to the murder of Shelly in 2006. It’s nice to see her work gain a new life and continue to bring joy to audiences. Opening on Broadway in 2016, it ran until 2020. National Tours began in 2017. The tour made two stops in the Twin cities and I saw and enjoyed them both. But this production takes the pie! It’s a fairly naughty show, but in a very sweet way. If you haven’t seen a production yet, you are in luck like a tasty dessert you’ve saved the best for last. Maybe I’m just becoming more in tune with our local talent but the last two shows I’ve seen produced locally, I had also seen and loved the touring productions of, I’ve come away preferring the local productions. First it was Fun Home at Theater Latte Da, now Waitress at Artistry!

Jenna Hunterson is the Waitress of the title she has a gift for making pies which she puts to good use at Joe’s Diner. Work is populated by the grouchy short order cook and manager Cal, fellow waitresses and Jenna’s friends Dawn and Becky, and daily customer/owner the elderly Joe. Home life is Earl and only Earl, from that magic mold that so many Earl’s seem to come from. You know the type, the kind that makes people write songs with titles like “Goodbye Earl“. Things go from bad to worse for Jenna’s personal life when she discovers early in the show that she is pregnant. A trip to her OB/GYN further complicates matters when she finds herself attracted to him. During times of stress Jenna creates new pies with fabulous names like Deep Dish Blueberry Bacon, Betrayed By My Eggs Pie, and Almost Makes You Believe Again Pie. While the play focuses on Jenna, we also explore the love lives of the other characters. Particularly the introverted and innocent Dawn who has her own whirlwind romance with Ogie, whom she meets through a service and who is a spontaneous poet.

The book is by Jessie Nelson with Music & Lyrics by Sara Bareilles based on the film written by Adrienne Shelly. This being my third time seeing the show, I went from more of the songs sticking with me to, I love these songs!!!! Bareilles has some real winners here from the truly funny to the emotional. Maybe I just needed the right cast to bring all of them into focus for me. Although, I suspect it also has something to do with the tight and on stage orchestra under the musical direction of the Bradley Beahen. Director Amanda White has taken a show that I felt warmly about and transformed it into a show I feel giddy about. She’s found the exact right person for each role and found the perfect way for each of them to find their moment in the spotlight. If I start listing cast members and my favorite moments this will become too long and you’ll stop reading. So I’ll limit it to a few and them. Erin Capello as Jenna is brilliant and her vocals are angelic. Eric Morris is genuinely loathsome as Earl, I’ve met Eric Morris, he is no Earl, but a disturbingly good portrayal of a really nasty guy. Armando Harlow Ronconi brings every possible laugh and then some out of the nerdish Ogie. JoeNathan Thomas plays the cantankerous old joe with no nonsense, and then stuns with his song “Take it From an Old Man“. Oh shit I’m doing it, It’s getting long, but I just have to mention that I also loved everything Julia Diaz and Adair Gilliam did as Dawn and Becky. Oh and Ryan Lee as Cal, and of course Chris Paulson as Dr. Pomatter, and the matter of fact delivery of his “your not pulling the wool over my eyes nurse played by Lisa Vogel.

When you can’t pull out just a couple of good performances to mention you know it’s a very special production. It’s brought to life with wonderful design work by Sarah Bahr and the choreography by Gabrielle Dominique that really adds to the visuals and magic of this show. Waitress runs through May 11 at Artistry in Bloomington, but it’s selling very well so don’t assume you’ve got plenty of time. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://artistrymn.org/waitress

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