You don’t have to work in a restaurant to be moved by this musical.
The soundtrack of Waitress is just wow! Sugar, flour and butter are three of the most delicious ingredients in baking, and the most decadent words anyone can use in a song; the opening snatches you like a kid in a candy store, once you are invested, there is no turning back. Jessie Mueller leads the music of Waitress. She is the true essence of music meets theater. On stage, this Tony-award winning actress (Jessie won the Tony award for her performance as Carole in Beautiful: The Carol King the Musical) establishes the third wall, weaving in and out of it through song, with her compelling and powerful story-telling talent. 
The second song in this marvelous score (composed by Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles) is the choral chant of “What’s Inside”. In a society driven by materialistic ideals, it is important every day to ask ourselves what’s inside so we can give ourselves a chance to detach from a swirl of busy-air. There is a powerful line in song number three, “Opening Up”, which is sung by Orange is the New Black actress and Broadway débutée Kimiko Glenn. The line“Ordered up is how the day will find me. Everything in its place and timing, I like the way most of the days look exactly the same” is ironic in comparison to the existence of the millennial generation. “Ponmatter Pie” is a slice of punctuality served over a glittery lake. The song reminds me of why I fall deeply in love with the theatre.
Remember when you were on your first date with that person you really, really liked? “When He Sees Me” describes the vulnerability of just that as well as the hope that we all will find that person who wants to see us again, even after seeing all our flaws. The song is quirky; it’s inquisitive melody is nothing close to typical; just think of the pink panther sneaking behind doors.
Kimiko Glenn successfully executes the definitiveness of Dawn’s voice in Waitress, and swiftly negates stereo-typically belting out the song as an ever-familiar “powerhouse” performer-type; she truly brings out intricacies in Dawn through the words and melody brilliantly penned by Ms. Bareilles.
The soundtrack is winner and the show is a hit. Waiting on line for tickets for Sarah Bareilles’ show is an decision you won’t regret.
