For me this show was all about the music, delightful and strong, their voices really hit home. Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland). “It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!” raves the Chicago Tribune.
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.
“WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly and “a monumental contribution to Broadway!” according to Marie Claire. Don’t miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
We celebrate Adrienne Shelly as the writer of the 2007 film WAITRESS, on which our wonderful musical is based. An actor and filmmaker for almost 20 years, she conceived the film while pregnant with her daughter Sophie (“Lulu” in the film), and wrote it in just two weeks. People often ask if Adrienne was a baker, loved pies or if she had been a waitress or had ever lived in the South. She hadn’t. In fact, Sophie was the inspiration for the story. Like many expectant mothers, Adrienne wondered how motherhood would change her life and impact her career. But just like her main character Jenna, once she saw her baby, she immediately fell in love! And she soon realized that she could in fact have it all. In many ways WAITRESS, and Jenna’s story, is Adrienne’s story as well.
Her legacy has many facets, including The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, which her husband Andy created after her death in 2006. With partners including Sundance, AFI, IFP, Women in Film, Columbia University and Boston University (Adrienne’s Alma Mater), and an advisory board that includes Paul Rudd, Michelle Williams and Keri Russell, ASF’s mission is Supporting Women Filmmakers. Since its inception it has awarded 60 production grants to very talented women all over the world.
Please visit www.adrienneshellyfoundation.org to honor Adrienne’s memory and support ASF’s critical artistic mission.
Producers – Barry and Fran Weissler Norton and Elayne Herrick. Director Diane Paulus, Choregrapher Lorin Latarro, Music Supervision & Arrangements, Nadia DiGiallonardo, Set Design – Scott Pask, Costume Design – Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Lighting Design – Ken Billington, Sound Design – Jonathan Deans, Hair & Make Up Design – Richard Mawbey, Associate Director – Nancy Harrington, Associate Choreographer – Abbey O’Brien, Music Coordinator – John Miller.
CAST:
Jenna – DESI OAKLEY, Cal – RYAN G. DUNKIN, Dawn – LENNE KLINGAMAN, Becky – CHARITY ANGÉL DAWSON, Joe – LARRY MARSHALL, Earl – NICK BAILEY, Mother – GRACE STOCKDALE, Father – JIM HOGAN, Nurse Norma – MAIESHA McQUEEN, Dr. Pomatter – BRYAN FENKART,Ogie – JEREMY MORSE,Francine – KYRA KENNEDY Lulu – (Thurs. 8/2 eve., Sat. 8/4 mat. & eve., Tues., Weds., Sun. mat., Sun. eve.)ELIZABETH LAST Lulu (Fri. 8/3 eve., Sun. 8/5 mat. & eve., Thurs., Fri., Sat. mat., Sat. eve.) CATHERINE LAST Ensemble: MARK CHRISTINE, JIM HOGAN, KYRA KENNEDY, MAX KUMANGAI, MAIESHA McQUEEN, GERIANNE PÉREZ, GRACE STOCKDALE
SWINGS:
CHANTE CARMEL, DAVID HUGHEY, EMILY KOCH, BRAD STANDLEY
DANCE CAPTAIN:
MAX KUMANGAI
UNDERSTUDIES:
Understudies never substitute for listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of performance.
For Jenna—KYRA KENNEDY, EMILY KOCH, GRACE STOCKDALE; for Becky—CHANTE CARMEL, MAIESHA McQUEEN; for Dawn—KYRA KENNEDY, EMILY KOCH, GERIANNE PÉREZ; for Dr. Pomatter—JIM HOGAN, BRAD STANDLEY; for Earl—JIM HOGAN, BRAD STANDLEY; for Joe— DAVID HUGHEY, MAX KUMANGAI; for Ogie—MARK CHRISTINE, JIM HOGAN; for Cal—MARK CHRISTINE, DAVID HUGHEY.
MUSICAL NUMBERS:
ACT ONE:
“What’s Inside”, “Opening Up”, “The Negative” , “What Baking Can Do”, “Club Knocked Up”, Women “When He Sees Me” , “It Only Takes a Taste”, “You Will Still Be Mine”, “A Soft Place to Land”,“Never Ever Getting Rid of Me”,“Bad Idea”.
ACT TWO:
“I Didn’t Plan It”, “Bad Idea” (Reprise), “You Matter to Me” ,“I Love You Like a Table” ,“Take It From an Old Man” ,“She Used to Be Mine”,“Everything Changes” “Opening Up”(Finale).
Music Director/Keyboard—RYAN CANTWELL Conductor/Piano—LILLI WOSK Drums—ELENA BONOMO; Bass—LEXI BODICK Cello/Guitar—NICK ANTON; Guitar—ED HAMILTON.
Music Coordinator—JOHN MILLER
MUSICIANS:
LOCAL MUSICIANS:
Keyboard Sub—ALBY POTTS Local Contractor—BRIAN MILLER.
I really enjoyed this show; from the sets, to the songs, and especially the comedy, it really knocked it out of the park.
“A DELICIOUS TALE THAT’S NOT SIMPLY
ABOUT GETTING PRINCE CHARMING,
BUT GETTING ITS HEROINE TO TAKE
ACTION AND DISCOVER HER WORTH!” – Variety
Waitress The Musical
The Pantages Theater
(323) 468-1770
6233 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
pantagestheatre.net
* Note some content was taken off of website.
