Booked & Scene

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a small-town waitress and gifted pie-maker stuck in a loveless marriage, who dreams of a better life. When a baking contest and a new doctor in town offer a fresh chance at happiness, she must decide what she wants for her future. With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, this show blends heart, humor, and healing into one deliciously heartfelt slice of musical theater.

Magic Chemistry & Perfect Crust Pie

Christine Dwyer as Jenna is simply sublime. She brings joy and groundedness to the role in a way that never feels forced. Her Jenna is resilient, layered, and fiercely human. Even in quieter moments, she draws you in completely and wow her rendition of “She Used to Be Mine” is as gut-punching as it is gorgeous. Every glance, every note, every pause is filled with intent. It’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling.

Brandon Kalm as Dr. Pomatter is an absolute treat. His awkward charm and razor-sharp comedic timing give the show an electric jolt every time he’s on stage. The chemistry between Kalm and Dwyer is undeniable: funny, flirty, and brimming with tension and deep longing. Their Act 1 finale “Bad Idea” is magic. Truly, I’d pay good money to watch these two headline any musical together.

Triple Scoop of Talent Pie

Brandi Chavonne Massey as Becky is a force. Her comic timing is impeccable, and her chemistry with Arnold Harper II as Cal brings a whole lot of sass and spark to the diner. Maggie Elizabeth May rounds out the pie shop trio as Dawn, and the three of them together feel like the beating heart of the show. You could tell the cast was genuinely enjoying each other and all of us in the audience were right there with them.

Matt DeAngelis as Earl gives us a villain that makes your skin crawl, in the best way. When he smashed that guitar, you could hear the air leave the room. That moment was chilling, and DeAngelis played it to the hilt.

Alana Cauthen’s Nurse Norma had the audience in stitches. If she wants to follow me around with life commentary, I wouldn’t object. And Courter Simmons as Ogie? A total joy. From the amateur magic tricks to the quirky, lovable delivery, he brought something fresh and fun to the role.

Whisked Away by the Set Pie

Scenic and lighting design by Jack Mehler was inventive and thoughtful. The real food props, rising stage elements, and even the floor, painted like a lattice pie crust, were clever without being distracting.

Kevin P. Hill’s direction used North Shore Music Theatre’s in-the-round setup smartly. The staging allowed us to see moments unfold from multiple angles especially scenes with Jenna, Becky, and Dawn happening simultaneously. A particular shoutout goes to the clever touch of placing audience members at diner tables and actually serving them it was immersive without being gimmicky.

Oops! I Used Salt Instead of Sugar Pie

The constant movement of tables and chairs on and off the stage got a bit distracting, especially for those on the aisle. Sightlines were sometimes blocked just long enough to miss a key glance or moment. And while the ensemble vocals were strong, the choice to have some members singing from offstage at times and then sitting silently in the lowered stage area at others felt disjointed. That inconsistency pulled focus and left some questions about the intended tone.

Topped with Talent, Filled with Feeling Pie

This Waitress serves up a full plate of heart, humor, and powerful performances. While a few staging quirks may distract, the strength of this cast and the creative direction more than make up for it. Just a heads-up: if you’re unfamiliar with the story, it’s worth checking in on content warnings ahead of time.

Running through June 15, Waitress at North Shore Music Theatre is well worth the trip. Grab a ticket, settle in, and get ready to fall in love, one slice of pie at a time.