Waitress Previews — Page 9

I saw this last night and loved it so, absolutely adored it. It is earnest. It doesn't try to be anything it is not. There is no irony, no winking to the audience or snide acknowledgment of how smart it is, like so many shows I can think of currently running. In fact, like this season's Bright Star, it is refreshing in its straightforward sweetness (no pun intended). What you see is what you get, and I absolutely loved what they're giving over there.

Also, for the record, sat in a box stage left and had a near perfect view with the exception of one scene which lasted maybe 10 seconds. Highly recommend!

Are box seats only available at the box office? How much are they? Thanks!

Saw the matinee earlier today. Liked, didn't love, it. Hubby and I arrived at the theater at 1:15 and got two of the three remaining standing room spots. Agree about earlier comments on the diction. Although we always got the gist, we missed phrases and lyrics here and there because of the country-fried twanginess of how the songs were sung. Only the delightful Christopher Fitzgerald and Nick Cordero managed to be understood 100 percent of the time; the smile-inducing Keala Settle about 99 percent. Jessie Mueller was heartbreaking and wonderful, but I did have an occasional problem understanding the last word or two in many lines of her songs. Act I has many bright spots helping to overcome the stereotyped, melodramatic situations, but Act II seems bogged down by one lugubrious number after another. Loved Drew Gehling as the doc, but I'm sure the A.M.A. would have a problem with the doc's. uh, bedside manner. Nick Cordero's talents--loved him in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and BROOKLYNITE--seem rather wasted; I could easily imagine him as the doc instead of the stereotype redneck husband.

POSSIBLE SPOILER:

His character actually brings up a plot fault: The husband comes across as a cartoon villain, so the audience can readily understand his wife's desire to leave and doesn't really fault her for finding solace elsewhere. But when he tearfully confesses his love for her and what she means to him, that only seems to harden her feelings against him. Her attitude at that point made me lose sympathy for her, which I don't this was the authors' intention.

Note re standing room: it was very comfortable and the sightlines were great. Our only problem was the very audible incessant chatter, laughter and clatter by what I assume to be the ushers and house staff behind the rear orchestra curtain, frustratingly distracting during the quieter scenes. Unfortunately, I could not locate the house manager afterwards to bring this to his/her attention.

mamaleh said: "The husband comes across as a cartoon villain, so the audience can readily understand his wife's desire to leave and doesn't really fault her for finding solace elsewhere. But when he tearfully confesses his love for her and what she means to him, that only seems to harden her feelings against him. Her attitude at that point made me lose sympathy for her, which I don't this was the authors' intention."

I actually think this scene was pretty effective at showing how Jenna had finally "had it" with Earl's behavior, truly seeing through his BS. She is starting to recognize her own self worth for the first time in a long time. While we only see one instance of it, I believe his tearful apology is supposed to be just one of many in a pattern. It's very common for an abuser to apologize, resulting in the victim staying and perpetuating the cycle. Remembering that Jenna has been with Earl since high school, and grew up in a house where her father abused her mother, it clearly takes the character a long time to see the light. Dr Pomatter is gentle and kind which I think triggers something in her to realize she is worth more (as well as the influence of her friends and baby on the way).

The scene when he cries and asks her to say she won't will love the baby more than him made my stomach turn - and I'm glad for that. It was the right way to portray a controlling, abusive husband.

^I don't think it's appropriate for a young 15 year old. I believe the pies in a jar were $5.00. Cheaper than they were at A.R.T.

ChildofEarth said: "Trying to plan a day out with my niece, who is 15, and thinking this is a good choice. She's a young 15, would this be appropriate? I've never seen the movie.



also how much are those pies in a jar?



"

Depends on the fifteen year old I think. I thought it would be fine for someone of that age, at least from the movie and the footage I've seen.

I think this show is fine for a 15 year old. It has nothing worse than a PG-13 movie would have.

The husband's insecure whining underscores his immaturity more than anything else. They obviously are not a functional couple, and she's better off without him. But her hardened words, coming as they do on the heels of his emotional outpouring--which, although he may usually be full of b.s., seemed to ring true for perhaps the first time--might have been better placed elsewhere in the show. I just found it somewhat jarring.

UnwoundFantasies said: "The little pies were $15 last night



"

What flavors do they offer? I'm going again this Tuesday and really want a pecan pie for dinner dessert.

TFMH18 said: "To the person who inquired about the box seats, I believe they are only available at the box office (the lovely gent who was working there kind of "hooked me up". I arrived at the theater about 30 minutes to curtain and explained I wanted to see that performance. As others have said, the staff could not be kinder!



"

How expensive are the box seats?

In Cambridge, the pies in a jar were really just a couple of bites of pie. For $15, I hope there's a little more there.

Saw this last weekend and I agree about poor enunciation/clarity of sound. I was surprised that (at least last Saturday night) the performers were all wearing headset microphones. The headsets were visible and seemed like a really clunky choice. Also the sound was uneven in volume. Did anyone else notice the headsets? Anyone better acquainted with what might be happening with sound design during previews?