The Tony-nominated musical opens Friday, April 11, at Oregon Cabaret Theatre
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Setting the table at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre beginning Friday, April 11, is the musical “Waitress.”
Cabaret’s Managing Director Rick Robinson said the musical “will bring laughter, heart and live music to the stage.” He said the Cabaret is the first professional theater company in Oregon to receive the rights to do the show, a musical based on the 2007 film of the same name.
Stuck in a loveless marriage
“Waitress” tells the plight of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker. She’s stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop. Then a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness.
Featuring music by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles, a native of nearby Eureka, California, along with a cast of musicians, “Waitress” is “a story about friendship, surprising circumstances, generosity and the memories of a mother who taught a little girl how to bake pies.”
It is based on the film, written and directed by Adrienne Shelly. Produced on a budget of $1.5 million, it earned more than $23 million in global box office receipts.
After its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the musical premiered on Broadway in 2016 with an all-female creative team. Bareilles wrote the music and lyrics, Jessie Nelson wrote the book for the musical.
Four Tony nominations
“Waitress” was nominated for four Tony Awards, including best musical. The musical went on a national tour from 2017 to 2019 and played in London from 2019 to 2020. It has also been produced in the Philippines, Argentina, Japan, Poland and Canada.
The deets
‘Waitress’ runs at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre from Friday, April 11, to June 15. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 1 p.m. Evening shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Reservations required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Tickets are $34 to $54. Box office: 541-488-2902 or oregoncabaret.com.
The cast includes Cabaret veterans. Carrie Lyn Brandon, who performed at the Cabaret in “Beehive” “Five on Fire” and “The Rocky Horror Show,” plays Jenna. Andrea Hochkeppel was seen in “Legally Blonde.” Matt Staley performed in “Spitfire Grill” and “Christmas at the Prime Rib Playhouse.” Alex Boyles was in “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Buddy Holly” and ”Mamma Mia!” Other Cabaret veterans in the cast are Scott Ford (“The Drowsy Chaperone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Wizard of Panto-Land”), Tyler Ward Lemons (“Legally Blonde,” “Kinky Boots”), Melanie Marie (“A Christmas Carol,” “Kinky Boots”), and Julia Funk and Aubrey Campbell, both seen in “Legally Blonde.” Cabaret newcomers are Tyler Ray Lewis, Miguel Ragel Wilson and Esther Soyong Lee.
Lauren Blair, the Cabaret’s associate artistic director, directs and choreographs the show. She previously directed “Legally Blonde,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Five on Fire.”
Others on the production crew include music director Mike Wilkins, fight choreographer U Jonathan Toppo, intimacy coordinator Valerie Rachelle, assistant director MaryEllen McGinnis and stage manager Zoë Krause.
Jason Lajka, who served as a set designer on the film “Coraline,” designed what is described as “the versatile set for the show.” He is joined on the design team by lighting designer Michael Stanfill, costume designer Sara Brookes, sound designer Tyler Berg and prop designer Jackie Perron.
If it were a movie, “Waitress” would be rated PG-13 due to sexual content, adult situations and themes, and strong language.
Three matinees a week
“Waitress,” which opens Friday, April 11, will close June 15. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 1 p.m. with evening performances beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Reservations are required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages, and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets range from $34 to $54. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances while $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability.
The Oregon Cabaret Theatre is at 241 Hargadine St., Ashland. For more information, or to purchase tickets call the box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].
