THREE TROUBLED WOMEN FIND HOPE BY CHANGING IN TOP DRAWER TPTC
By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic
“WAITRESS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ
The positive and upbeat musical “Waitress,” based on Adrienne Shelly’s movie, is about second chances that are often difficult to seize but, if taken, can lead to an exciting and unexpected new life. It is brought glowingly to life in an amazingly top drawer The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) staging that duplicates the brilliant Broadway staging that starred the luminous Jesse Mueller.
Set in Joe’s, a small-town diner, the restaurant is known for its creative dessert pies created daily by Jenna, one of the waitresses. The three wait people including Becky and Dawn plus an old-world manager, Cal, tackle daily routines while they struggle with problems that threaten to stymie them. Through a series of unexpected events, they find ways to cope with challenges that lead to positive changes in their routine lives.
In TPTC’s exemplary production that looks like it was transported from Broadway, the musical is richly staged, nicely choreographed, and cleverly set to make clear the diner’s tacky status. The customers and staff are rough but tough. It’s a downtrodden existence but the waitresses, their boss, and even the diners are not about to let their lives destroy the chance to change things positively. Each takes a necessary risk plus a huge gamble that leads to an exhilarating new life devoid of old beliefs and crutches each thought inescapable. TPTC’s flawless staging plus a winning cast achieves the impossible and reproduces perfectly the triumphant original. How lucky Phoenix is to have the consistently wonderful TPTC musical productions.
As sharply staged with vigorous pacing by Chanel Bragg, the production looks, sounds, and feels like the Broadway version. Kevin Robert White’s fine orchestra plays Sara Bareilles hummable score with gusto.
Casting is impeccable. Cassie Chilton’s thoughtful Jenna, the expert pie chef, is movingly touching. Her second act solo, “She Used to Be Mine,” stops the show and her transition to loving her new baby but leaving the father behind is firmly sincere. Caleb Reese’s emotional Earl, Jenna’s violent husband, makes audiences hate him.
Chanel Edwards-Frederick’s Becky has a huge voice as the in-charge but loveless waitress until she connects with the shop’s bombastic manager, Cal, in Joseph Paul Cavazos’ fine performance. Bonnie Beus Romney’s initially mousy Dawn transforms into a fun-loving romantic when she unities with Teddy Ladley’s exuberant Ogie. Shonn Wiley’s Dr. Pomatter, Jenna’s physician, is gullible but knows what he wants. The ensemble makes critical small roles stand out.
This couldn’t be a better “Waitress.” It continues through November 24.
Grade: A
