“Waitress” at The 5th Ave Is Perfectly Sweet!

Waitress at the 5^th Avenue Theatre Through March 30, 2025

On Pie Day, 3/14/25, a strong and sweet LOCAL production of Waitress opened at the 5^th Avenue. I joke – Pi Day (based on pi = 3.14) was the perfect day to open. The 5^th Avenue was able to snag one of the first regional rights to perform this charming musical and they’ve turned out a hit!

Director Lisa Shriver is back again after her triumphant direction, last season, of Beautiful at Village Theatre. Here, her pacing, smart collaboration with adroit set designer Julia Hayes Welch (a complicated set design moved swiftly and efficiently from scene to scene), and her work with the top-notch local cast combined to a light-as-whipped-cream flair.

We meet Jenna, a local waitress in a small town, and her waitstaff cohorts Becky and Dawn, the diner cook, Cal, and assorted townsfolk. She’s unhappily married to abusive Earl, feels trapped and scared, but makes amazing pies every morning. Can a pie contest help her win enough money to get out?

Kerstin Anderson fully immerses herself in Jenna. Her voice is sublime and sure. Her quirky character comes out and when she meets gynecologist Dr. Pomatter (wonderfully sweet and funny Adam Standley) and finds out she’s pregnant, and accidentally starts an affair with him, she shows a spunk that allows us to like this woman more than feel sorry for her.

Supporting character actors Porscha Shaw (Becky) and Tori Gresham (Dawn) hit every funny moment, as they both take charge of their own lives. Shaw gets to belt and sashay into her own affair with Cal, and Gresham, as the nervous, awkward (and very funny) Dawn, partners with new date Ogie (Kennedy Kanagawa, who shines brightly in his own awkward way) to create an Awkward Couple Triumphant Pie. 

Yusef Seevers, as the gruff cook, Cal, stepped in as understudy as if he had been cast for the full run! Dane Stokinger, unrecognizable as a villain since he mostly plays genial and comedic roles, made Earl frightening. Allen Fitzpatrick, in a small but crucial role, got every laugh he could out of curmudgeonly Old Joe, who always wants everything on the side.

The entire ensemble gave their all, as well, both when they needed to step out and when they needed to blend in. Matthew Antonio Perry led the small orchestra cohesively. Opening night felt like they’ve all been running the show for weeks.

The subject area has a significant focus on spouse abuse, and serial non-monogamy seems to be everywhere., So you might want to take that into consideration as far as what age young person you might bring. 

Composer lyricist Sara Bareilles and librettist Jessie Nelson have crafted a pretty tidy musical and have stuck to the best practices of musical writing. The songs seem to come out of an emotional place where a song should go, and as far as I can tell, each song actually does move the story along. Songs like Bad Idea, sung at each other by Jenna and Dr. Pomatter, are funny and realistic and give us insight into the characters.

It’s not an earthshaking story, but it’s fresh-baked and delicious. It tastes like a musical you shouldn’t miss.

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