While I was unfortunately unable to see Waitress: The Musical in theaters. Instead, I had to wait agonizingly long for it to release on streaming to see it. I adore broadway musicals, and especially those that mix dialogue and the spoken word with musical numbers. Needless to say I was incredibly hyped to see the film, and boy was I not disappointed.
Waitress: The Musical stars Sara Bareilles as Jenna, a waitress and pie baker at Joe’s Pie Diner. Unhappy with her life at home, she bakes incredible pies to distract herself from the struggles of her daily life. At work, she’s joined by Becky and Dawn, two other waitresses who all share a deep connection with each other.
When Jenna finds out she’s pregnant, she visits her OB/GYN only to find new, young male doctor Jim (Drew Gehling). They begin an affair while Jenna schemes to get out of her life with her abusive husband by entering a local pie baking contest.
What I love most about Waitress: The Musical is how authentic it feels. It’s relatable in a wholly simple way. The protagonists don’t always make the right choices, but they feel real nonetheless. And, they’re uplifted by some really great performances across the board.
Of course, when discussing a Broadway musical we have to discuss the music itself. Almost every musical number was a certified hit. I found myself smiling, dancing and singing along to songs I had never heard of before. Plus it helps when you have Sara Bareilles singing, she’s an absolute powerhouse.
Final Thoughts
Waitress: The Musical feels so refreshing to see. I wholly enjoyed watching the production. If you like Broadway musicals, then you certainly will enjoy this one too. I sincerely hope Bleecker Street makes more of these theatrically released versions of stage plays. There is so much talent on Broadway and beyond that deserves the spotlight on the big screen.
