Quote of the Day: The show opened at American Repertory Theater in Massachusetts in 2015 and moved to Broadway in 2016, where it won a Drama Desk and an Outer Critics Circle Award, and took home four Tony Award nominations (including Best Musical and Best Original Score). It would run for roughly four years at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. from the program notes by the Director, Amanda White, for the musical Waitress, on stage at Artistry in Bloomington, MN, thru May 11, 2025. 

Erin Capello and Chris Paulson in Waitress at Artistry, thru 5/11/25. Photo: Alyssa Kristine Photography

The Tony Award nominated musical Waitress is a celebration of life, love, friendship, and resilience. Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles wrote the music and lyrics, book by Jessie Nelson, and based upon the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly. Erin Capello plays the lead character Jenna, a waitress at a pie shop/diner in rural America. She is in an abusive marriage that she wishes to end when she learns that she’s pregnant. Her best friends and co-workers, Becky (Adair Gilliam) and Dawn (Julia Diaz) rally around her. Their boss Cal (Ryan Lee) seems all hardcore and cranky, but he actually cares about Jenna and her circumstances. 

Adair Gilliam, Erin Capello, and Julia Diaz in Waitress at Artistry, thru 5/11/25. Photo: Alyssa Kristine Photography

The show opens with a lovely number “What’s Inside” listing ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, “everyone wants to know what’s inside,” and ends with Jenna singing, “What a mess I’m making.” Erin Capello gives her character Jenna so much heart, someone with all the emotions and turmoil of life kneaded into the pie crust, mixed into the filling. I loved the interaction of the three waitresses, how they rallied around their friend when she finds herself in an impossible situation. Their blend of voices and harmonies are also so lovely, and at times funny. “Club Knocked Up” was terrific, has a bit of an Andrew Sisters vibe. “A Soft Place to Land” is endearing, and “Everything Changes” is just beautiful. 

Ryan Lee and Adair Gilliam in Waitress at Artistry, thru 5/11/25. Photo: Alyssa Kristine Photography

Dawn gets her moment to shine when she finds the man of her dreams. Armando Harlow Ronconi plays the nerdy, funny, sweet Ogie. He absolutely steals the scene with his quirky mannerisms, excellent singing and dynamic dancing skills. You can’t help but root for this awkward couple!

Cast of Waitress at Artistry, thru 5/11/25. Photo: Alyssa Kristine Photography

Eric Morris does a great job playing the bad husband Earl. His song “You Will Still Be Mine” still gives me the creeps. So possessive and controlling. You get how Jenna feels trapped. But, in walks Dr. Pomatter (Chris Paulson) who takes her worries away. He’s there for her, but they’re both married. It’s complicated. Joenathan Thomas plays the curmudgeonly shop owner who shows his soft spot for Jenna. 

Eric Morris and Erin Capello in Waitress at Artistry, thru 5/11/25. Photo: Alyssa Kristine Photography

Gabrielle Dominique is the choreographer and also in the ensemble. Fabulous dancing and movement by everyone in this show. The entire ensemble is excellent. We especially liked the directing choice to have them always enter the diner through the door, like they were real customers. Sometimes, they’d be sitting at tables or blending into the set, but have movement (and vocals, of course) that fit right into the song, raising an arm, or moving in and out of the picture. Wonderful diner set design with movable wall for home and office scenes by Sarah Bahr. Costumes by Meghan Kent. Lighting by Karin Olson, and Sound by Jaime Salvador Lupercio. On stage orchestra led by Bradley Beahen.

All the ingredients of this show blended perfectly. Go see Waitress at Artistry in Bloomington through May 11, 2025. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What’s your favorite kind of pie?