Based on the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly, Sara Bareilles’s Waitress is one of the most popular musicals composed in recent years. It premiered on Broadway in April 2016—making history as the first Broadway show with an all-female production team—and garnered such success that international and regional productions are still frequently staged. Since June 12, Vancouver’s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage has been transformed into Joe’s Diner as the Arts Club Theatre Company presents this beloved musical.
Having seen outstanding performances by the Arts Club before, I attended their production of Waitress with high expectations (seen July 5). I was not disappointed by any aspect of the show from the brilliant cast to the deliberate costume and set design.
This production features a live band with keyboardists, guitarists, a drummer, bassist, and cellist conducted by Caitlin Hayes. With the musicians hidden away, it was easy to forget the music was live. The show’s soundtrack played as if recorded ahead of time, flawlessly supporting the singers and dancers on stage.
Sarah Cantuba, Jennie Neumann, Ali Watson, and Rachel Drance (Jenna) in the Arts Club’s Waitress. Photo: Moonrider Productions
Undeniable Chemistry In and Outside of the Kitchen
At its heart, Waitress is a show about human connection whether that be platonic, romantic, or familial. This theme was strengthened by the cast’s chemistry as they trusted their fellow performers to uphold the demands of their roles. This shared confidence was palpable and made the relationships between the characters feel authentic.
For example, in one of the first scenes, Jenna takes a pregnancy test in the diner’s bathroom with two other waitresses, Dawn and Becky, supporting her. Jenna, played by Rachel Drance, is obviously nervous about the possibility of being pregnant. However, the best friends still make jokes with one another while they sing “Focus on the Negative,” a comical song about wishing for a negative test. Drance, Sarah Cantuba (Dawn), and Ashanti J’Aria (Becky) interact so naturally with one another that it quickly solidifies in the audience’s mind that the three have known each other for years.
Ashanti J’Aria (Becky), Sarah Cantuba (Dawn), and Rachel Drance (Jenna) in the Arts Club’s Waitress. Photo: Moonrider Productions
Waitress boasts a collection of big personalities. With vibrant characters like Ogie and Dawn contrasted by the nervous Dr. Pomatter, this musical could quickly turn into a fight for the spotlight. However, under the careful direction of Ashlie Corcoran, these bigger-than-life roles fit perfectly together, creating a reality that feels grounded.
The evening was beyond successful in delivering laugh-out-loud moments. The biggest uproar came during the song “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me,” Ogie’s declaration of love for Dawn. Ogie, played by Josh Epstein, appears only a few times throughout the show. However, Epstein took full advantage of these moments, confidently commanding the stage with rich vocals. In his opening song, the ensemble seemed to bend to his will, floating around him and giving him their full attention. Shelley Stewart Hunt’s choreography highlights how Ogie’s passionate profession becomes the focus of everyone in the diner.
A scene from Arts Club’s Waitress. Photo: Moonrider Productions
Alternatively, Dr. Pomatter, played by Kamyar Pazandeh, is funny in a more subdued way. His nervousness around Jenna leads to awkward moments, eliciting chuckles from the audience. Dr. Pomatter is a complex role as he must appear charismatic despite starting an affair with his patient, Jenna. Pazandeh delivered as an inviting and likable love interest in Jenna’s story. Most notably, he gave a beautiful vocal performance, gliding between notes, particularly in “You Matter to Me”.
Jenna, the central character, faces many real-world challenges. She becomes unexpectedly pregnant, aims to leave her abusive marriage, begins an affair with her married doctor, and tries to save up money for a better life for her child. Drance embodied this emotionally-demanding role from the moment she stepped on the stage, capturing Jenna’s wit and charm. Her vocal brightness drew the ear even in moments when voices overlapped.
Drance’s ballads were especially moving as she produced genuine feeling within each note. “She Used to Be Mine,” the emotional heart of the show, was beyond impactful. Drance stood isolated on stage at this moment, and her expressions and voice told such a story that I could not tear my eyes away for a second.
Rachel Drance (Jenna) and Jacob Woike (Earl) in the Arts Club’s Waitress. Photo: Moonrider Productions
Cantuba and J’Aria both gave incredible performances as Dawn and Becky. They were talented singers with Cantuba demonstrating pretty and delicate runs while J’Aria had a more steady voice that she used to dig into the notes. Jacob Woike, who played Jenna’s abusive husband Earl, also surprised me with his compelling delivery of “You Will Still Be Mine”.
The Arts Club’s production of Waitress made for an enjoyable night out with high-calibre performances from every member of the cast. This show is the perfect combination of trust, skill, and planning, and it will have you listening to the Waitress soundtrack for weeks to come.
The Arts Club Theatre Company performs Waitress at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until August 3. For more information and tickets, visit www.artsclub.com
