Waitress - Review (Opening Night)

Last night marked the official opening night for Waitress in the West End. The show opened for previews last month at the Adelphi Theatre with Katharine McPhee (American Idol, Smash, Waitress on Broadway) in the lead role of Jenna, a waitress and excellent pie maker who dreams of escaping an abusive marriage and an unwanted pregnancy. The Tony Award nominated musical, based on the 2007 film of the same name, is brought to life by an all female creative team with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson, and direction by Diane Paulus.

I have been in love with the music of Waitress ever since I saw Jessie Mueller and the original Broadway cast perform at the 2016 Tony Awards and have been obsessively listening to it ever since. Sara Bareilles, the 7 time Grammy nominated recording artist and songwriter, is a musical genius and has created, in my opinion, the greatest musical soundtrack of all time. There isn't a single song on the album that isn't sheer perfection, be it emotional, hilarious, heartfelt, or anywhere in between. Even songs like 'Contration Ballet' where the song is made up of actresses breathing through their contractions are impeccable. And the clapping thing that the ensemble do during 'Bad Idea' and the reprise is outstanding. But not only are the lyrics extraordinary, the score of the show never fails to spark joy. The music alone is enough to go see this show, although you definitely wont be disappointed by everything else it has to offer.

Katharine McPhee is out of this world as Jenna. Like most people, Katharine McPhee is most known to me as Karen Cartwright from the NBC hit Smash. I was 100% team Karen and so when I found out she was going to be the very first Jenna in the West End I was so overjoyed. She is an amazing actress who is able to convey both the vulnerability of the role as well as play up on the comedy, and easily switch from one to the other. But while her acting is superb it really is in the music that Katharine shines. She makes the songs her own by adding riffs and runs that you don't hear on the OBC  recording which straight away sets her apart for me and adds something new and fresh to the role. When she goes up for the "goddamn happy I am" part in 'What Baking Can Do' (if you've seen the show you'll know what I mean) I thought my mind was going to explode. But the highlight is definitely her gut-wrenching rendition of  'She Used To Be Mine'. To me that song is one of the greatest pieces in musical theatre history but the way Katharine performs it takes it to a whole other level. You really believe that this woman is after hitting rock bottom and is so utterly broken and defeated that you cant help but cry and empathise with her pain. Katharine's performance as Jenna is so incredible that it makes me want to and have that moment of holding your baby in your arms for the first time and your motherly insticnt automatically kicking in, which is saying something considering I'm a man!

Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls, Something Rotten, Aladdin) and Laura Baldwin (Eugenius, Big Fish) as Becky and Dawn respectively are phenomenal. They both bring so much humour to the show which wonderfully counterbalances the more serious aspects and themes to make something really well rounded. Marisha also brings a whole lot of sass and power to the role. She smashed her performance of 'I Didn't Plan It' last night and her dynamic with Cal (Stephen Leask) is nothing less than hysterical. Laura's portrayal of Dawn is extremely animated and high spirited and her rendition of 'When He Sees Me' is side-splitting. Her ability to switch from a comedic style of singing to an angelic one is effortless. David Hunter (Kinky Boots, Once) captures the awkwardness and charm of Dr. Pomatter so well that you cant help but love him (which I have conflicting views on but more on that later) and Peter Hannah is very convincing as the abusive and possessive Earl. Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) is clearly not the strongest singer but his portrayal of Ogie is so boisterous, cheerful, and rib tickling that it doesn't even matter. In fact it sort of adds to the character in my opinion. The place was in absolute hysterics watching him. I have never seen a crowd laugh so hard at a show. Shaun Prendergast brings Joe to life in the exact way you want him to and moved me to tears during 'Take It From An Old Man'. An unsuspecting highlight of the show is Kelly Agbowu as Nurse Norma. Every line she says is pure comedy gold and she is such a hit with the audience. The rest of the cast is made up of Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Chris Mcguigan, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Charlotte Riby, Fifi Christophers and Arabella Duffy (as alternating lulus) and swings Michael Hamway, Sarah O Connor, Leanne Pinder and Mark Willshire. The entire company of Waitress is one of the strongest I have seen to date and are a delight to watch. 

The only issue I have with Waitress is how infidelity and cheating is conveyed through the show. Cheating is one of my biggest turn offs and is something I morally cant condone no matter the circumstances; and it seems that in Waitress a lot of infidelity goes on without any consequences or repercussions. I don't think it glorifies the idea of cheating but something about people squeling with delight for characters cheating (especially Dr. Pommater who admits to being in love with his wife and content with their marriage) just doesn't sit well with me; no matter how well the two work together. But having said that this aspect of the show is completely overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of everything else on the stage and I couldn't possibly give it any rating other than 5 stars!

As it was the official opening night we were treated to speeches from both Diane Paulus and Sara Bareilles which was such a lovely touch and the cherry on top of a wonderful night. In her speech Diane thanked the front of house staff for all their hard work which was amazing as I feel front of house staff tend to be the forgotten heroes in the theatre world and to end the night we all had a sing along to 'Whats Inside' with none other than Sara herself!

If you haven't yet, you really need to book tickets to see Waitress at the Adelphi while you can, but I'm hoping and praying for an extremely long run for the show here in London. I also just posted a painting I did inspired by the show over on my Twitter and Instagram so feel free to show those some love if you would be so kind 😉