Review: WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL, National Theatre At Home

A musical based on a movie is hardly a new concept. Kinky Boots, Back to the Future, any of the Disney musicals, to name just a few. However, February 14 marked the launch date of NT at Home’s latest show to join the collection, Waitress: The Musical. And it is baking up a storm.

Based on the 2007 film that was written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, the musical opened on Broadway in April 2016 with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson. 

Waitress, both movie and musical, tell of a waitress (ironic, I know) called Jenna Hunterson as she prepares herself to have a baby with her abusive husband, Earl. Guided by her fellow waitresses and best friends, Dawn and Becky, Jenna tries to bake herself a new life all while falling in love with her doctor, Jim Pomatter - a married man with a need for something more in life. 

Bareillies is no stranger to the stage herself, as she has actually played the leading role on both Broadway and in the West End and she joins the cast to lead the company for this recorded version.

Within the first minute, tearing up is inevitable. The flawlessly elegant choreography, matched with Bareilles’ effortless vocals, is a magnificent mixture for an ‘emotional-rollarcoaster-pie’. Fully losing herself in the role of Jenna, Bareilles still manages to make every song her own - even making new riffs and melodies from the original music she wrote. Her performance of “She Used to Be Mine” is a masterclass in acting-through-song, for sure. Tear-jerkingly beautiful. This further perfectly illustrates her ability to separate her actor side and her composer side. 

I also want to shine light on the leading man, Drew Gehling. Like Bareilles, Gehling is no stranger to the world of Waitress or Dr. Pomatter. His undeniably funny portrayal of the role, as well as iconic comedic timing, was so compelling and a delight to watch. I surely was not expecting to see him dab, but I suppose it’s a product of the time - a unique choice that pays off. Gehling’s vocal abilities match that of his leading lady without fault, creating the perfect blend. Their chemistry has you rooting for them the whole time, despite the clear issues within the way the relationship came about.

Charity Angél Dawson and Caitlin Houlahan as Becky and Dawn, respectively, tie up the main trio in a beautiful pie-box bow. Both actresses were the absolute best casting choice to be paired with Bareilles. The dynamic and sisterly love between Jenna, Becky and Dawn will have you realising that maybe the most powerful love in the world, the one that may matter most, is that of platonic love - genuine and honest friendship, no matter what you do.  

Houlahan’s rendition of “When He Sees Me” is as funny as it is powerful. Proving that you have to live the lyrics, not just perform them - a scene stealer in the best way possible. Also special mention to the drumline section - one of the best parts of the production.

“I Didn’t Plan It” sung by Dawson was not something I knew I needed to hear in life, until I did - one of the best renditions of this song to come out of the musical. 

Christopher Fitzgerald as Ogie and Joe Tippett as Earl both had awe-worthy moments. Fitzgerald’s comic portrayal of Ogie provided some of the more lighter-hearted parts of the musical, amongst the most heartbreaking, most of which were brought about by Tippett’s Earl. His monologue before “She Used to Be Mine” was harrowing, a quick turning point for the plot. He did not play about with this role, and should be commended for that.

The small details, like having a real baby for the close-up shots, did not go unnoticed. A very clever choice that added a new level of affection to the already stunning final scene. 

So grab your gal, pal, and val(entines) for this must-see musical wonder on the screen that will have you wanting to fall in love with life, friends, and one-another again and again - as well as maybe making you want to bake yourself a new look on life. 

Waitress: The Musical dropped onto The National Theatre At Home website on 14 February (subscription required)

Photo images: courtesy National Theatre at Home

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