Waitress at JPAC
It may have taken me 10
years to finally make it to a show at the Jefferson Performance Arts Center,
but I already want to go back for a second performance of the Tony-nominated
musical Waitress.
Although the story of
a small-town girl with big dreams looking to escape an abusive marriage is a
common one, the acting, catchy tunes, and somewhat-surprising ending made it a
hit on Broadway and a show worth catching this weekend at the JPAC in Metairie.
If
you haven't been before, the 10-year-old theater boasts comfortable, wide
seats, plenty of leg room, great line of sight, and excellent acoustics. The
traveling performance of Waitress has masterful set pieces that easily
slide across the stage and a really unique way of featuring the musicians
tucked behind what would normally be the counter in a diner.
The
story follows the life of 30-something Jenna, played by Meredith Owens, who is
a master pie maker at Joe's Pie Diner, where her friends and co-workers
encourage her to submit her pies for the big national pie competition coming to
town. Before the competition takes place, however, Jenna's life is turned
upside down by the arrival of the handsome new Doctor Pomatter (Jake
Wynne-Wilson), as well as a new bun in the oven provided by her abusive loser
of a husband Earl, played masterfully by Matthew Welch.
While
the first set mostly featured the struggling waitresses commiserating over
their shared troubles, the second set shines brightest when co-workers Dawn
(Chase Kamata) and Becky (Whitney Mixon) find love and happiness with men that
shower them with affection and attention. Though there's plenty of infidelity
to go around, Jenna finally figures out that it doesn't take a man to make you
happy and that happiness comes from within.
This
was Saenger-quality theater at the JPAC, kind of like seeing a show
off-Broadway, with acting and singing on par with anything featured at the
prestigious New Orleans venue. Every one of the actors played their roles so
perfectly that it's hard to pinpoint one that stood above the rest. For me,
Chase Kamata and her love interest, Ogie (Scott Souber), were just so
entertaining and fun to watch during their goofy, yet lovable interactions. I also
just can't get over how good Matthew Welch played the dumb redneck. While
Meredith Owens will deservedly get most of the accolades, the acting in Waitress
was perfect from top to bottom.
This
may not be the only musical worth seeing at the JPAC this year, but it is
definitely one you won't want to miss. You have one more weekend to get on the
bandwagon, and good seats at very reasonable prices are still available.
