A strong cast brings the story and its songs to vibrant life at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Sometimes somber and serious, but also laugh-out-loud hilariously delirious and, other times, tear-inducing, “Waitress,” the current offering at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, is a musical that serves up a varied menu of emotions.
Making the story genuine and impacting are the musical’s incredibly strong, diverse cast along with its precise staging, choreography and direction.
Based on a 2007 film, “Waitress” was transformed into a musical that premiered in 2015 and went to Broadway. The story revolves around Jenna, a waitress who creates sumptuous pies made from recipes learned from her mother and life experiences. But she hasn’t cooked a recipe for personal happiness. Jenna lives in a small Southern town with an abusive husband, Earl. She’s shocked when she learns she is pregnant.
She fears her dream of opening her own pie shop appears half-baked, but Jenna regains hope when she’s encouraged to enter a baking contest where winning the grand prize could make her fantasy real. Then things get complicated when she begins an affair with the town’s new obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter.
Ensemble cast
“Waitress” centers on Jenna but the play also involves her three co-workers — Becky, Dawn, and Cal — who we learn are are facing their own challenges. There’s also Joe, a daily customer who makes obnoxiously and meticulously detailed food and drink orders, and Ogie, a fan of American Revolution reenactments.
Carrie Lyn Brandon, who has been featured in other Cabaret productions, serves up a delicious menu of songs including “What’s Inside,” “What Baking Can Do,” “I Didn’t Plan It” and, especially, “Everything Changes” with other cast members. Brandon gives a truly inspired performance that evokes a range of emotions.
The other cast members also sparkle. Tyler Ray Lewis is Becky, a brawny, frequently foul-mouthed, sarcastic waitress who bitingly tells Cal, the snarly cafe manager, “I love what you’ve done with your hair. How did you get it to grow out of your nostrils like that?” Totally different is Andrea Hochkeppel as Dawn, the third waitress who is wimpy, timid and shy, but hoping to find romance.
Likewise, the men fit their very different personalities. Matt Staley is loving and sincere as Dr. Pomatter while, in sharp contrast, Miguel Ragel Wilson is the totally unlikeable, evil incarnate as Earl. Scott Ford is easy to overlook as the quietly persnickety Joe. And Alex Boyles sparkles as the hilariously goofy Ogie — his singing and gymnastics in “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me,” rank among the most uproariously wacky performances I’ve seen in decades of reviewing theater productions.
Songs reveal complicated lives
The songs help to reveal the sometimes complicated lives of Jenna and the others. Among the many are, “Only Take a Taste,” “Bad Idea,” “Club Knocked Up,” “A Soft Place to Land,” “Bad Idea,” “You Matter to Me,” “I Love You Like a Table” and “Take it From an Old Man.”
“Waitress” is based on a script by Jesse Nelson and features music by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles. The director and choreographer for this production is Lauren Blair, the Cabaret’s associate artistic director. Helping the musical sparkle are the ever-changing sets designed by Jason Lajka, lighting by Michael Stanfill, props by Jackie Perron and costumes by Sara Brookes.
Things, sometimes tastefully sweet, sometimes disturbingly real, happen in “Waitress.” But, as one friend noted, “That’s life.”
My recommendation? Consider a big tip for this “Waitress.”
“Waitress” runs through Sunday, June 15. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 1 p.m. and evening performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights. If it were a movie, “Waitress” would be rated PG-13 due to sexual content, adult situations and themes, and strong language.
Reservations are required for preshow dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages, and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets range from $34 to $54. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances while $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability. For more information or to purchase tickets call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
