Serving Up the Sensational Journey of Sara Bareilles' Hit Broadway Musical: Waitress
Experience the magic of live theater from the comfort of your own home with Waitress: The Musical Sara Bareilles's enchanting songs take center stage in this delightful adaptation, offering a perfect blend of sweetness, silliness, touching moments, and a hint of raunchiness Get ready for a spine-tingling and unforgettable performance
Live theater has a unique ability to send shivers down the spine, and "Waitress: The Musical" is no exception. The film adaptation of this beloved stage production by Sara Bareilles delivers an unforgettable experience, combining sweet and silly moments with touching and raunchy scenes. Despite the impressive Tony Award nominations it received in 2016, "Waitress" was overshadowed by the phenomenon that was "Hamilton." However, its recent release on streaming services, alongside other musicals like "Come From Away," has reignited interest in filmed stage productions.
The filmed version of the musical "Waitress" may not reach the heights of its theatrical counterpart with its five-day window, but it comes close and has moments where it soars. Bareilles, in particular, earns (and deserves) a mid-show standing ovation after her powerful performance of "She Used to Be Mine," a song that captures the emotional essence of the musical.
This emotional essence centers around Jenna, played by Bareilles, whose relationships with her coworkers at the local diner provide her with solace amidst an unhappy home life with her abusive husband.
Jenna is appalled to realize she could be pregnant after a drunken night, but this unwelcome news leads her to an uncomfortable encounter with a doctor (Drew Gehling) with whom she begins an affair. This adds to her list of questionable decisions, which they both address head-on in a song called "Bad Idea."
In addition to her tumultuous life, Jenna has a talent for making pies passed down from her late mother. She plans to use this skill to win a contest and escape her current situation. While this may seem like a flimsy hope, it reflects the desperation that makes "Waitress" so moving.
The more exaggerated elements of the musical, such as the eccentric suitor played by Christopher Fitzgerald, seem to be best suited for a live performance and may feel overly grand when magnified for the screen.
However, with two movie musicals like "The Color Purple" and "Wonka" being released this month, "Waitress" manages to maintain most of its charm and Bareilles' impressive singing ability. While "Waitress" is likely meant to be experienced live, similar to "Hamilton" and "Come From Away," watching this special presentation feels like a worthwhile endeavor.
"Waitress: The Musical" will play December 7-11 in US theaters.
