Waitress

Through Sun., Jun. 15CRITIC’S PICK:Waitress: The Musical, Lawrenceville Arts Center: The show started out as a 2007 movie written and directed by the late Adrienne Shelly and starring Keri Russell. In 2015, it became a musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Both productions were enthusiastically received by audiences but Shelly, who also acted in the film, never got to enjoy their success. She was found dead in her New York office on Nov. 1, 2006, and a 19-year-old construction worker was later tried and convicted in her slaying. ‘Waitress’ is all about Jenna, a baker of pies at a diner in the South who longs to get out of the rut she’s in; Jenna is pregnant, her marriage is shaky and the future looks bleak. Entering and possibly winning a pie-making contest could be the key to a better life. When the musical first opened ten years ago, its production team was led entirely by women, a first in Broadway history. The Aurora Theatre presentation is directed by Amanda Wansa Morgan with music supervision by Ann-Carol Pence, who says the story “is about the real struggles we as women face — juggling work, families, life’s pressures and how we still try to hold onto a piece of ourselves. I know I haven’t found that balance yet.” The cast consists of Chloe Cordle (Jenna); Kari Twyman (Dawn); Daja Rice (Becky); Michael Stiggers (Dr. Pomatter); Frankie Marasa (Ogie); John Bobek (Earl); Stephan Jones (Joe); and Greg Hunter (Cal). — Kevin C. Madigan