Waitress: The Musical

Based on an overrated indie movie, Waitress tells the story of a waitress and baker with dreams, a terrible husband, and an unexpected problem. The songs, by star Sara Bareilles, are unusual for a Broadway musical, because they're pretty much Sara Bareilles pop songs, but she's an excellent songwriter and her songs work for both herself and others.

This musical is beautifully staged. This is a filmed stage performance, and often those make you think, this would have been amazing in the theater, but this captures the staging so well that I'm not sure that it would have been better in a theater (probably not with the Broadways seats in my budget).

It's funny, it's touching, the songs and choreography are terrific, the performers are terrific (virtually every significant character gets their own big number), and well, it's just really, really good.

It's also apparently really, really obscure - there are only 6 user reviews as I write this - but it should be better known, so watch it if you have the chance.

This is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. The vocals and music were incredible. The entire cast was amazing. This movie is a must see. Waitress has always been one of my favorite musicals, and I never saw it on Broadway, but this movie makes you feel like you are in the theater. There wasn't a single bad song or moment at all, and you could feel all of the emotions with the characters. There were sadder, deeper, moments in the storyline, but there were still hilarious jokes and baking puns. "She Used to be Mine" was amazing. Those vocals were sooo good!!!!! I loved this movie so much, and I've even seen it three times! Everyone should go see it, this is great!!!!!!

This musical production is essentially the same story in the 2007 movie "Waitress" with Keri Russel. This 'movie' was filmed in a theater with a live audience, and it has all the looks and feel, including moveable sets, of a real stage play.

Sara Bareilles is 40-something Jenna. She is a waitress and pie-baker at the local pie and short order food place. She is married to a real cad. (Incidentally her real-life husband plays her husband here.) They aren't close in any manner but after a night of drinking and frivolity she finds herself pregnant.

Most of the story involves her interactions with her co-workers, her maternity doctor, and her regular customers. It is her journey to come to grips with who she really is and what she wants out of life. Including, a few months later, for her daughter.

Bareilles, who also produced and wrote songs, is really good in the role. All the singing is good, it seems veterans of the stage were in all the roles. Although I had a career as a Scientist, in graduate school I was in a four week, 28-performance musical so watching this brought back good memories. There is something about a stage play, a musical with live singing, that is more personal and more enjoyable than a slick movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. On DVD from my public library. My wife skipped, she isn't a fan of musicals.

This isn't a "movie" as much as it is a live recording of Broadway show - complete with scene changes. Based on that genre, I think the cast did a fantastic job with both character portrayal and musical performance. The staging and scene changes were downright beautiful - a master class in not letting a scene change slow down a performance as well as use of space and light to keep the story moving along.

The acting was absolutely top notch. Every actor simply nailed their character. Vocal performances were absolutely up to professional musical theater standards.

The story is decent, if not a bit too predictable. There are a few little twists and turns that provide some small surprises, but overall things work as one would expect.

The only downfall here is the editing between the live performances and the closed set performance used for many of the close-ups . Visually, the switch was often very obvious (especially the hospital scene).

Nonetheless, if you are a fan of musicals, this is worth a watch. If you are not a fan - probably best to move along.

One of the best movie versions of a Broadway musical that I've seen in a long time. This musical closely follows the original movie and the music is glorious. I've seen it on stage and seeing it as a movie is just as fabulous as in person. I'm so thankful that they made a movie so that I can watch it any time I feel like. The cast works well together, the ensemble is great, and the band is great. If you're looking for a fun, adult themed musical that keeps your toes tapping, your fingers snapping, and your mouth laughing, I say watch this - it's SO worth it! And after you watch it, try not to buy the original Broadway cast soundtrack!