If ever a show is going to lift your spirits it’ll be WAITRESS. The tour has been rescheduled and is at the Wales Millennium Centre right now, and this is one show you must see.
Casting is announced and CHELSEA HALFPENNY (9 to 5, BBC’s Casualty, ITV’s Emmerdale) stars as Jenna in the hit musical comedy.
The musical is actually based on the 2007 film. If it passed you by, it’s the story of Jenna Hunterson, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor. Looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest and its grand prize as her chance.
Now you’d think with a plot like that it would be difficult for the seemingly complex, unhappy and abusive life Jenna lives to make the transition from screen to stage. But we’ve seen both, and if you dip into the movie you’ll understand why it is perfect for the theatre.
Most of that is down to the writing, and particularly the songs. Sara Bareilles wrote the music and lyrics for the show and not only has she turned out a bunch of incredibly memorable, poignant songs, but she really has a connection with what an audience needs from a show. Maybe that’s why she is constantly awarded and nominated for her work.
Sara acts, sings, produces and is an author. She’s presented award shows and had hit singles too, one of which ‘Love Song‘ earned her two Grammy Award nominations, including best song. You’ll remember it we’re sure – take a look at the video below.
She also created and has a fantastic album of songs from the Apple TV Series ‘Little Voice.‘
The whole show is brought to life by a ground-breaking, female-led creative team, this “warm, witty, wise and hilarious” (Express) hit features “one of the best scores in years” (The Stage) by the Grammy award-winning Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony® Award-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).
If you missed it in London, where it received standing ovations night after night, and on Broadway, Waitress really is a must see.
Jenna can sometimes seem lost in her dreams, but compared to the kooks around her, she’s very much the steadying influence. Like Jenna’s pies, her co-workers are the strangest mix of ingredients ever thrown together, but once mixed, they turn out the sweetest tasting show, which is as comforting and satisfying as your favourite home-baked dessert.
It’s all about friendship and love, with a little bit of self-worth thrown into the mix. And after the couple of years we’ve been through, we reckon WAITRESS is just what we need served up in our theatres right now.
Here’s a really great version of ‘It Only Takes A Taste‘ from the show, performed by Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz, and the very cool band. You can watch that below.
Incidentally, Sara has an album out right now, called ‘Amidst The Chaos – Live At The Hollywood Bowl.’ It’s been receiving nothing but five star reviews. It’s one of those to keep and play over and over again.
WAITRESS is at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff for the rest of the week, through to Saturday 4th June. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and again on Saturday (Audio Described). To find out more and get your tickets, go here. WAITRESS
Finally, there is a Waitress Cookbook. We can’t think of a better way to prepare for the show than making the pies – and eating them of course.
And while you’re flopped on the sofa after too much pie, you may fancy a visit to the movie, here’s a look at the trailer.
