Waitress: The Musical
★★★ 1/2
When I first heard that Waitress, the indie rom-com gem, was being turned into a full-blown Broadway musical, I wasn’t sure how that recipe would turn out. But once Sara Bareilles came on board to pen the music, it made perfect sense. Her heartfelt, piano-driven style was an inspired match for this story about finding hope, strength and identity in the most unexpected places—like a small-town pie shop.
And let me tell you, watching it unfold on stage? Surprisingly moving. The set design, choreography and clever integration of real-life baking make the show feel tactile and lived-in. It’s one of the rare stage productions where you almost taste the world—flour dusts the air, rolling pins hit counters and that ever-present chant of “sugar, butter, flour” fills the theater like an incantation.
The cast, including some of the original Broadway performers in the filmed version now streaming on Max, brings a lot of charm and depth to their roles. They don’t just act—they embody the warmth, wit, and resilience that made the movie special. Bareilles herself—when she’s in the role or behind the music—lends the show a heartbeat that is vulnerable and empowering.
That said, while I enjoyed the songs in the moment, I’ll admit that none of them really stuck with me afterward. I’ve always loved Sara Bareilles’ solo work, and some of her songs are personal favorites, but Waitress doesn’t quite deliver an “I’ll be humming this for days” anthem for me. (Though I have friends who would fight me on this.)
Still, Waitress: The Musical is a delightful watch, especially for those who don’t have easy access to Broadway. It’s cozy, charming and full of little moments that add up to something bigger—kind of like a good pie.
Not my favorite musical of all time, but definitely worth a slice.
