Waitress at the Paramount is Sweet as Pie

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois, has baked up a splendid feel-good confection with a sumptuous production of “Waitress”. If you aren’t familiar with the show, or the 2007 film starring Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion on which it’s based, it might not seem like the story of a financially and emotionally abused wife, an unplanned pregnancy, and a secret affair would be a feel-good time at the theatre, but that’s exactly what it is.

Under masterful direction by Katie Spelman, this Midwest regional premiere boasts a stellar cast, led by the luminous Michelle Lauto as Jenna, in a performance that is heartwarming and powerful. Lauto, making her Paramount debut, brings Jenna to life with a nice balance of depression, vulnerability and ultimately resolve. Her understated acting inhabits the character of a downtrodden woman in a dead-end marriage and town who yearns for more out of life, and her singing voice shines in numbers like “Bad Idea” and “She Used to Be Mine,” bringing the audience to rapt attention.

Teressa LaGamba delivers a highlight performance as Becky, Jenna’s profane and supportive friend. She boasts a powerhouse voice and a sense of comic timing that she brings great dimension to the role, particularly in all her many one-liners and the show-stopping “I Didn’t Plan It,” in which she becomes the spokeswoman for most of the cast in their messy human entanglements.

Kelly Felthous is brilliant as Dawn, the deeply autistic-coded waitress with a heart of gold. Her impeccable comedic timing and endearing characterization make her journey from timid loner to confident wife believable and poignant. Her “When He Sees Me” is a tour-de-force, bringing down the house in peals of laughter.

Jackson Evans, who plays Ogie through March 16, is a comedic tour de force. His unbridled energy and impeccable timing make “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” and literally any time he’s on stage a highlight of the show, with the audience in stitches.  He and Felthous are an incredible comic duo, bringing wacky and much-needed lighthearted moments to the story.

David Moreland charms as Dr. Pomatter, the cute and clumsy gynecologist who becomes Jenna’s improbable friend and love interest. There’s undeniable chemistry between him and Lauto, and their duets, especially “It Only Takes a Taste,” are filled with genuine warmth and affection.
Ian Paul Custer makes an incredibly realistic self-absorbed bully as Earl, Jenna’s husband and abuser.  His performance embodies the threat and insecurity of a man willing to do whatever it takes to keep control, which makes Jenna’s fight for freedom that much more emotional.

Ron E. Rains is a warm presence as Joe, the crusty but lovable diner owner. His heartfelt rendition of “Take It From an Old Man” offers words of wisdom and adds depth of emotion to the narrative.

The ensemble cast is also impressive, moving seamlessly between several varied roles and bringing the world of the diner to life with dynamic characters. Their harmonies and movement together contribute to the overall sense of cohesion and energy of the production.

Visually, the production is clever. Scott Davis’s ingenious revolving set design easily transports the audience from the diner to Jenna’s house to Dr. Pomatter’s office, and Mieka van der Ploeg’s costumes perfectly capture both the small-town world of the play and the individuality of each character.

With musical direction by Celia Villacres, the live orchestra performs Sara Bareilles’s soulful score with precision and heart. Each song is performed with emotional resonance, drawing the audience deeper into Jenna’s narrative.  But sadly, the sound in this production is problematic.  This happens with almost  every rock-based show, at the Paramount, it seems. Several of the soloists were drowned out by the band or the backing vocals from offstage. This is extremely bad in a show like this, with so much narrative heavy-lifting happening in the song lyrics. I hope they fix it.

And the other problem with this production is a holdover from the Broadway version.  It makes me wonder if nobody in the theatre has EVER made pie.  Why are you touching the pie crust?  Do you want it to be tough and dirty and gross?  You NEVER touch the pie crust to mix it. You use a pastry cutter or two forks or something.  You keep your salty hands off it or it gets disgusting.  In a show all about someone known for making life-changingly excellent pie, get that right. I literally wanted to shout at the stage – “stop touching the crust with your hands!”

That said, however,  Paramount Theatre’s “Waitress” dishes up top-shelf performances, innovative design, and heartfelt storytelling. It’s a production that satisfies the appetite for quality theater and leaves a lasting impression.

All photos by Brett Beiner Photography