“Waitress,” the musical playing through March 30 at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, had me at Sara Bareilles — the versatile artist who wrote both the production’s score and lyrics.
If you are a hip mom like me who’s been hanging on the artist’s every song and blasting them in the kitchen since her first album came out in 2004 — two fully raised kids ago— run to the box office. This neon-colored, funny, sometimes irreverent, and poignant show is the perfect pitch for date night or mom’s night out.
An aside: Even if you’ve never listened to loved Bareilles, this show, with its dizzyingly talented cast, effective staging, and feisty but realistic look at domestic violence, packs a punch. But enough gushing over the Grammy-nominated musician behind the scenes …
Porscha Shaw, Kerstin Anderson, Tori Gresham, and Kennedy Kanagawa in Waitress at The 5th Avenue Theatre. (Photo by Mark Kitaoka / Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre)
What do you mean by ‘mature?’
Before we get going on the particulars of the production, let me say that “Waitress” could be a good show to attend with a mature teen. By that, I mean a teen who has already gone through sex ed at home or school and isn’t uncomfortable with the topics of pregnancy (the heart of this story), extramarital affairs, and childbirth. And f-bombs.
And you, parent, should be comfortable with talking about domestic violence, extramarital affairs, the option of abortion (not taken in this show but mentioned), dishonesty between spouses, and a few other themes. Did I mention the f-bombs? From this perspective, it’s a show with many post-show discussion possibilities. My mama rating? Age 16 and up.
The synopsis
Written by Jessie Nelson and based on the 2007 film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, “Waitress” is the story of Jenna, a baker and waitress at Joe’s Pie Diner. The elderly and somewhat surly but beloved Joe no longer runs the place but drops in a lot.
Jenna lives with her abusive husband, Earl. In a sweetly staged first scene, we learn that Jenna is pregnant. Baking and coming up with just the just-right name of pies to express her every emotion are how Jenna copes with the stresses in her life and marriage.
And things are stressful. Overwhelmed by her predicament and not wanting to have a baby with Earl, Jenna starts saving money and looking for a way out of her marriage. Her friends and boss encourage her to enter a local pie-baking contest with a cash prize of $20,000. A win would mean freedom for Jenna.
Kerstin Anderson and Adam Standley in Waitress at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
(Photo by Mark Kitaoka / Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre)
To make matters more complex, Jenna falls for her obstetrician. They are each married (write that down for the post discussion if you bring teens!). There’s a funny sex scene in the examining room (we’ll ignore the ethics of this for just this show).
I’m skipping a lot here, including some hilarious romantic subplots involving several other characters. But, inevitably, Jenna goes into labor, has a baby girl, announces she’s getting a divorce, gives what-for to Earl, and ends the affair with her doctor.
How will she survive and raise a baby on a waitress’ pay?
The gist
I won’t give away the end. It’s syrupy. You see it coming. What else would be in the envelope? But, like the pies Jenna bakes; it’s sweet and perfect and, most importantly, speaks in spacious and heartwarming tones about the importance of community.
If you go
- The “Waitress” musical is playing at The Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle through March 30.
- Shows run Thursday through Sunday with both 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances available.
- Tickets start at $40 (upper mezzanine). Purchase tickets online.
