***** Tonight’s opening of “Waitress” at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora began with a huge bump. During the opening scene, the set is designed to rotate an dtake us from Joe’s Diner & Pie to or leading lady’s home, but somehow the turntable floor did not work. Many of us saw it “not happening” and the tech people who were in the audience for opening night scramble to the stage area. The Stage manager advised the actors to leave the stage, the curtain came down and the house lights came up. This had to be stressful for the cast and crew who had been working hard to bring this musical to their stage. Fifteen minutes went by and those who had run to the aid of those backstage, returned to their seats, the lights dimmed, the curtain rose and once again the brilliant Michelle Lauto, brought Jenna to life with the opening song “What’s Inside”.
Well, let me tell you what’s inside- a wonderful, albeit longer than expected, version of the show that won four Broadway’s Tony Awards and will now shake the City of Aurora through the end of March. With a book by Jessie Nelson and music & lyrics by Sara Bareilles, “Waitress” is based on the film of the same name ( written by Adrianne Shelly) that looks at a small town girl ( that would be Jenna) and her life. She is the product of a home filled with abuse from her father, but a mother that showed her love by baking pies and her recipes are still in her mind, her heart and her soul.
Directed and choreographed by Katie Spellman, on a set designed by Scott Davis that once fixed added a great deal to the overall production. We went from scene to scene with vry little hesitation making this two and a half hour show seem much quicker. The lighting (Eric Southern) and sound( Adam Rosenthal) were right on and the costumes (Mieka van der Ploeg) and props (Ivy Thomas) perfect..
The music in this musical add to the story, but for the most part, audience members will not leave the theater humming any of them. They will walk out with a wonderful feeling and bear witness to soem amazing talent on the stage. Ever since The Paramount opened its doors, it seems that the area talent has found its way to Aurora, as have the audience as well as the Jeff Awards. This cast is top-notch, from start to finish. The main characters, along with Lauto are the other waitresses, Becky (Teresa LaGamba) and Dawn ( the amazing Kelly Felthous). Dawn’s mate in this story ,Ogie (Jackson Evans thru 3/16 is amazing and hysterical in this role- in fact it is worth the price of the ticket watching these two fall in love and wed). The man they work for is Cal ( once again Jonah D. Winston shows his versatility) and Jenna’s abusive husband is played by Ian Paul Custer.
Yes, part of the story is that while Jenna works for her tips and pie sales, her hubby drinks and lays around, but makes demands of her. Jenna finds out she is pregnant, and fearing her child will be the victim of abuse, seeks advice on what to do. At the clinic she meets Dr. Pomater ( deftly handled by David Moreland) and they have an affair. In fact, it is probably more than it appears to be, but this is a love that cannot be, yet it helps Jenna see the light and make choices for her future, and her baby.
Another important role are Ron E. Rains as Joe, a diner customer who is old and set in his ways, but offers Jenna some great knowledge as she proceeds with her life and future. The ensemble truly helps to fill in all the other roles as well as move furniture on and off the stage and during Jenna’s asides, baking pies, they aid and assist in getting the pies created. They are:Reese Bella, Julians Velez ( they do young Jenna and Lulu, Jenna’s daughter),Sophie Grimm David Stobbe, Laura Savage,Marta Bady, Logan Becker, Andres Enriquez, Devon Hayakawa, Emma Ogea, and Anakin Jace White..
The orchestra conducted by Celia Villacres with associate conductor Kailey Rockwell ( they handle the keyboards) has two guitars ( David Saenger, Justin LaForte) , Jocelyn Shoulders on cello, Matt Ulery on bass and Lior Shragg on drums.
“Waitress” will continue thru March 30th with performances as follows:
Wednesdays 1:30pm & 7:00pmThursdays 7:00pm
Fridays 8:00pm
Saturdays 3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays 1:00pm & 5:30pm
The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 East Galena Street in Downtown Aurora
Show Type: Musical
Box Office: 630-896-6666
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Waitress”.
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