Waitress Serves Up Heart and Harmony in Melbourne Premiere

 

For the first time, Joe’s Diner has opened up shop here in Australia, serving pies, laughs and good times as Waitress the musical begins its run at Melbourne’s iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre this May.  After humming “Bad Idea” for the past week, sitting on the edge of my seat in the Dress Circle, tonight I witnessed the first preview to ever bless an Australian audience… and it did not disappoint. 

(photo credit Jeff Busby) 

This relatively new stage production is based on the 2007 film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly who starred in her own film as Dawn. The film to stage-show, made its Broadway debut in 2016 and has been a smash hit ever since. Doing extremely well in the US, it headed to England on the West End and now lands here in Melbourne’s ‘East- End’. 

Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles for her composing debut (Tony Award Nominee), and Book by Jessie Nelson. Waitress follows Jenna Hunterson (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), a small-town waitress and talented pie maker trapped in an abusive marriage and unexpected pregnancy. In the hope of winning the nearby County Pie Contest to seek a way out, all while navigating a new romance, she finds strength through friendship, cooking and motherhood, during a time of self-doubt and struggle. 

Act 1 pretty much doesn’t give Natalie Bassingthwaighte a break, singing in eight of the eleven songs and onstage for the majority of the act. She is brilliant from the curtain rise to the curtain falling at the end of Act 1. This show posed no weak links, and while vocally, sometimes Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Jenna fell through in vocal delivery. Her acting and character were believable, well-researched, rehearsed and vocally could be thought to be a stylistic choice to highlight her emotion through her vocals and sound. Rob Mills as Dr Pomatter was funny, entertaining and well portrayed with strong vocals and a charming stage presence.  

(photo credit Jeff Busby) 

For me, the vocal standout was Mackenzie Dunn who played Dawn, a socially and romantically timid co-worker at the Diner where Jenna works. Dunn portrays the character so well and really taps into the moments of shyness and awkwardness. But she comes out to play during the song, “When He Sees Me”, with some big vocals, as she belts her way across the stage, on top of tables, and thrown between the company’s arms. She remained in great control both physically and vocally in a quite demanding song. 

Dawn’s love interest, Ogie played by Gareth Isaac, brought life and fun back into the show after some emotional and  visceral scenes. His performance had the audience in his hands and laughs coming out of our mouths during “Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me." He was hilarious, and the audience loved it, vocally on point and comedically well delivered while being true to the song and story.  Great casting and even better performance; Gareth was consistent throughout the show, with Ogie clearly being an audience favourite. Big shoutout to Gabryiel Thomas, who portrayed ‘Becky’ for her fun-loving yet bold character with a powerhouse vocal to open up Act 2 during “I Didn’t Plan it”, which was another huge standout. Gabryiel was always on point in every scene, leading the vocals of the ensemble and delivering her punchy and funny one-liners throughout the show. The three leading women had great chemistry and had some beautiful, harmonious moments vocally.  

(photo credit Jeff Busby) 

I said immediately at the end of Act 1 that the show would be a “Blocking Director’s nightmare” because, uniquely, there were zero blackouts in the first act, and I think maybe two short ones in the second act, mainly for dramatic effect. However, all scene changes were performed under lights by the cast. There were no major mistakes visible to the audience, and the company was often picking up props, moving sets and gearing up for future scenes. It played on the idea of actually feeling the hustle and bustle of a diner and ultimately, Jenna’s life and mind. While in the audience, you could see them moving about, but you were never distracted from the focus point of the scene. It was cleverly orchestrated and was performed by the cast with astounding synergy and collaboration. The smoothness between scenes was very impressive, so big props to the Director, Diane Paulus, Lorin Latarro for her direction and choreography and the rest of the creative team who brought this to life. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during rehearsals to watch these moments being rehearsed.

 

(photo credit Jeff Busby) 

In many shows, the main character’s performance is often judged on one song–one  moment. A standout moment that has everyone whispering and talking about, waiting to see. A moment that the audience yearns for, and when the chords play, your back straightens, and you edge forward in your seat. A moment that defines the role and ultimately the whole production. Frankly, you just have to nail it. For example, in Jesus Christ Superstar, you have ‘Gethsemane (I only want to say)’, Wicked you have ‘Defying Gravity’, but for Waitress it is the iconic“ She Used To Be Mine." During the middle of the second act, this roller-coaster of a song is a poignant ballad about mourning the loss of Jenna’s self, autonomy and her youth. As she laments her hopes and dreams and has an honest look at herself in doubt, she struggles to reconcile her past and present. She is stuck…stripped. “She’s imperfect, but she tries,” lyrics highlight the pain of failing to meet one’s own expectations. Tonight, I witnessed Natalie Bassingthwaighte sing out her soliloquy, and it was emotional storytelling at the highest order, which continues to grow the benchmark in Australian Theatre. Her ability to portray such emotion with clear vocals and believable acting should be commended. Full body ‘goosies’ (Goosebumps) Natalie Bassingthwaighte's performance left this reviewer in and running mascara for the person next to me. I nearly gravitated out of my seat at the end of the song, so I would not be surprised by a mid-show standing ovation day in and day out for this one. She needed to nail it, and she did. No notes… I look forward to hearing her again soon. 

(photo credit Jeff Busby) 

Without being cliché, Waitress is genuinely one of those shows that will make you cry, laugh, and just sit there for two and a half hours and enjoy yourself. It is well-paced, well delivered with a beautiful score, that takes you on an emotional journey as Jenna navigates this chapter in her life. The story is intriguing and interesting, but not complex. If you are going to see one show this year, maybe step away from a big Disney blockbuster and enjoy the emotional storytelling this show alludes to. This is just the beginning for this cast, and I know it is going to get bigger and better every night.  

 

This show will serve you up a slice of laughter, a slice of sadness, and a slice of fun. Australian theatre just keeps getting better. 

From Curtain Call on SYN Media!