WAITRESS at A.R.T. Thread — Page 2

I'm here at the lobby, lots of anticipation. Posters for $10 each or $20 for 3 as they have 3 different colours, but I think they only sell a certain number per performance, approximately 25. Overheard someone saying that Sara won't be coming out tonight but we will see. I'll try to post pictures later.

Here's the set model that Scott Pask posted:

It is now intermission, and Sara is watching from the back row.

songs are a little rushed and words are very hard to hear, maybe it's the sound but Jessie can be difficult to understand sometimes (as is the rest of the ensemble.)

Will update more after the show. Set is rather basic with some rotating elements and tables on casters, etc. plot seems okay so far.

Just ended. Songs are... All very similar sounding. The whole score sounds almost the same. There are some memorable songs but I do wish there were more variety instead of a piano-led hard-hitting pop song repeated 12 times.

The book is pretty good. I can see where it needs to be tighter but there are definitely some moving moments towards the end of the second act and overall it was satisfying.

Finally, the acting was first-rate all around. Definitely the highlight. Some good chemistry between the leads and Jessie was great as usual. Not many costume changes and the set was more basic than what I expected with Scott Pask. You can tell it was a little rough since I could see the stage hands during every single scene change moving stuff around, and things were dropping everywhere lol.

Overall I enjoyed it, but it needs to have more visual spectacle and more cohesive ensemble work for it to truly make an impact on Broadway.

Just got back from the show.

I agree with the response above, the performances were top-notch. The 3 ladies (Jessie, Keala & Jeanna) played off each other great and the guys were a surprise as well. Jessie really stood out, as expected, and she played and sang the part beautifully.

I thought the book was a good mix of light-hearted, comedic moments and more serious parts. It was good but could be cut down a bit. I preferred how the first act played out, the 2nd seemed kind of rushed to me but had some highlights.

The score was definitely in Bareilles' pop style. And yes, very piano driven and quite catchy. There was only a six-piece band that played from the stage. I thought the best songs were the two she had already performed in public. I also liked how some of the songs had the ensemble join the band by clapping along (I know Sara likes doing this at her shows so I guess she incorporated that into the score). Not sure if it was my seat (I was in the back) but some lyrics were kind of hard to understand, esp. earlier on.

Overall, I enjoyed it although I'm not sure how this will fare in larger Broadway houses. Seems like the type of show that should be in a more intimate setting.

Updated On: 8/3/15 at 12:12 AM

I was there tonight as well and I really enjoyed it. I loved the score. Top notch performances all around.

How does it compare to the movie?

How are the pies visually and/or musically incorporated into the musical?

Not to double post, but Jessie's performance was wonderful last night - warm, vulnerable, and very strong. The whole first preview was very strong sans the sound being pretty terrible, but that will be worked out. The score is sweet and hummable, and Sara Bareilles has definitely taken to the composing of a musical very well.

The trio of ladies were completely wonderful - each one bringing something different to the table. Jeanna and Keala carve out their own niches as supporting characters, but in the best sense of the word. Drew Gehling, Eric Anderson, and Jeremy Morse are sweet filling to the romantic pie that is baking. Also, shout out Dakin Matthews playing the crusty yet semi-sweet old man figure in Jenna's life.

The show is in wonderful shape for a first preview and I'm sure cuts and nips will be made, but it's shaping up to be a pretty sweet pie.

There are a couple of instances where she does actually mix up the pies on stage. Other than that, no.

Thanks for the answers. I figured there would be some scenes of Jessie standing there making pies, whether pantomiming or using real ingredients. I'm gladly they didn't use lazy projections to show the ingredients mixing and and the pies baking. I guess I was just hoping Paulus would find an interesting theatrical way to bring the pie making to life.

I'm still looking forward to seeing this in a few weeks.

I'm going to see this on Sunday. I don't know what kind of "theatrical tricks" can be used to show something like baking a pie, but it seems like they should not try to limit themselves to just visual effects. When I saw David Cromer's production of Our Town, he was able to create a powerful effect by simply frying a slice of bacon in one scene. The sense of smell can tell a story, too.