By TR Robertson
The second play of Moonlight Stage Production’s 44th season is a finny, touching musical based on a 2007 film directed by Adrienne Shelly starring Keri Russell, “Waitress”. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, closing in 2020. The musical features music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles from a book by Jessie Nelson. At the center of the story line is a waitress who is struggling with several personal issues, but who loves making pies her mother taught her how to bake, naming each pie with clever names sometimes based on what is going on in her life at the moment. The waitress works at a small restaurant surrounded by several friends who are also going through significant changes in their relationships in their personal life. Using witty songs and funny situations the musical amazingly navigates serious topics such as infidelity, unwanted pregnancy, domestic violence and the empowerment of women in these situations. The musical was nominated for four Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards, winning a Drama Desk award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical and the same award for an Outer Critics Circle Award. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2017 for Best Musical Theater Album.
A wonderful cast features a number of outstanding performances. Lulu Lloyd plays Jenna; the waitress stuck in an abusive marriage who is also striving to make a better life for herself possibly by winning a pie baking contest. Lloyd is marvelous in numbers like “What Baking Can Do”, “Mama’s Pie Song” and a powerful presentation about her life and what she wants for her child, “She Used to be Mine”. Loyd also mixes her voice beautifully with her lover and gynecologist Dr. Pomatter, played by Bryan Banville. Banaville presents the good doctor as a neurotic, conflicted married man who is swept away after meeting Jenna and tasting one of her pies, the Mermaid Marshmallow Pie. He has a strong voice that blends beautifully with Jenna in numbers like “It Only Takes a Taste” and “You Matter to Me”. As an aside, listen carefully to the names of the pies referred to throughout the musical – for example the Meet Your Dream Chocolate Pie, the Jump in Without a Net Bottomless Pie, the White-Knuckle Cream Pie and the Betrayed by My Eggs Pie.
Playing Jenna’s best friends, the two other waitresses at Joe’s Pie Diner, is Elizabeth Adable as Becky and Emma Nossal as Dawn. Elizabeth presents Becky as a tough, sarcastic individual, also caught in a marriage she feels trapped in. Her banter with the chief cook, Cal, and some of the customers is humorous. Cal, played by Dallas McLaughlin, is also in a marriage that has grown stale and challenging, Dawn is a talkative, nervous, bubbly young lady who likes to take part in historical reenactments. Emma Nossal is perfectly cast as Dawn. Her numbers with Jonathan Sangster, who plays Ogie, are hilarious. Ogie is an unusual individual who supplies a load of laughs for the audience as his relationship with Dawn grows. Ogie also enjoys taking part in historical reenactments. His funny stalker styled number, “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me”, that he sings to Dawn and the marriage song he sings to her, “I Love You Like a Table”, are memorable and bring smiles to everyone. Returning for his 25th season on the Moonlight Stage is Ralph Johnson. Ralph plays Joe, the cranky owner of Joe’s Pie Diner, who has developed a strong father-like relationship with Jenna. His ordering of his meals from his favorite table is clever, always ending with an order of a specific pie selection. Ralph, as Joe, sings to Jenna a touching song filled with words of wisdom in Act Two, “Take It From an Old Man”.
The Moonlight musical is directed by Noelle Marion, returning to the Moonlight after directing “Tootsie”, “Escape to Margaritaville” and Cinderella”. Her creative team for this musical includes Peter Herman – Hair and Wig Designer, Julia Hayes Welch – Scenic & Props Designer, Blake McCarty – Video Designer, Janet Pitcher – Costume Designer, Ryan Marsh – Sound Designer, Samantha Terrell – Lighting Designer, Melissa Bonilla – Stage Manager, Katie Banville – Choreographer. Tamara Paige directed the seven piece “Waitress Band”. Michelle Gray is the Assistant Musical Director. The Joe’s Pie Diner set is impressive and set changes are quickly made to change to other scenes.
One thing prospective audience members should know, the musical does present some touchy issues, but they are handled carefully. There are some sexual jokes and humor, one particular dance routine that is mildly sexual, some colorful language and a brief depiction of domestic violence. The musical is advertised as PG-13. As always you should study or read about whatever you attend, not be suddenly surprised once you attend if you’ve been informed.
“Waitress” will be on the Moonlight Stage until June 21st. For tickets go to www.moonlightstage.com or call 760-724-2110.
