Waitress the Musical at the Straz Center

I am going to take you on a trip down memory lane. In 2007, I had the opportunity to attend the Sundance Film Festival with my (then) job. We sponsored one of the booths at a VIP party and it was one of the coolest experiences I had while working. That year, the movie Waitress premiered with Kerry Russell as the main actress (who I was a fan of from the Felicity days). Waitress was all the hype of the festival.

Fast Forward 11 years later (ouch). I saw a promo for Waitress in NYC featuring songs written by Sarah Bareilles. I have a work playlist that I listen to daily, which includes Sara, Norah Jones, Dido and a few others. To say I'm a huge fan of everything Sarah Bareilles touches is an understatement. She's a constant at my parents dinner party and I know every one of her songs by heart. Waitress AND Sarah Bareilles - major fan girl moment for me.

I'm fortunate to live in an area that has a fantastic traveling Broadway lineup. This week, from April 24th - April 29th, Waitress the Musical will be at Straz Center Tampa. I had a chance to check it out last night and was very impressed. I was curious to see how they would bring Waitress to Broadway, given it's storyline. It was very well written and the stage set was super impressive. I felt at times I was watching a movie, not at a live production. The talent was absolutely incredible and left me jaw dropped at many times throughout the show.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by five-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland). "It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune.

This is a story inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, Waitress. This show tells the story of Jenna (played by Desi Oakley) who is a waitress and expert pie maker. She is in a loveless, abusive relationship and ends up pregnant. The story is based around her wanting to enter a baking contest which would give her a chance at winning $20k and start a new life. Plus there is a new doctor in town who shows her what being happy looks like. It's a darker story (abuse, affairs, etc) but on stage, it was hilarious and engaging. It was a very good show and I would suggest seeing it!

"WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!" says Entertainment Weekly and "a monumental contribution to Broadway!" according to Marie Claire. Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood and the magic of a well-made pie.

Waitress Tampa showtimes
Click here for tickets
April 24th 7:30
April 25th 7:30
April 26th 7:30
April 27th 8:00
April 28th 2:00, 8:00
April 29th 2:00, 7:30