Waitress at the San Francisco Playhouse – We All Need to Matter

SFP_Waitress_JessicaPalopoli7 — Jenna (Ruby Day) crafts the perfect pie in "Waitress," presented by San Francisco Playhouse November 21 – January 18. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

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By Jessica Levant

Is it preposterous to engage an audience by exploring the meaning of life, human suffering, and the pursuit of happiness with pie? – in a diner? “Waitress” is a musical play that does just that. And this San Francisco Playhouse production of it will not let you down.

Jenna (Ruby Day) wonders about her future with a baby on the way in “Waitress,” presented by San Francisco Playhouse November 21 – January 18.Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

Granted it starts with choreographical cleverness which is sized down perfectly for this stage, and musical genius by a Grammy award winning composer, and a delicious set of a miniaturized diner with the orchestra in the ‘kitchen’. The plot seems to take a while to get somewhere – until Bamm! It does. Before the end of Act One I promise you, you will want more pie.

Earl (Ben Euphrat) visits his wife Jenna (Ruby Day) at the diner in “Waitress,” presented by San Francisco Playhouse November 21 – January 18. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

It’s no Cinderella story – though it does feature some inappropriate family relationships, but it’s not magic. It brings up gritty women’s issues, from the fear of online dating, to the reality of spouse abuse. Instead of casting spells, it demonstrates the strength of community, real caring and support for one another, honesty, and, for Jenna, the accidentally pregnant genius pie inventor, opening her up to the ability to finally see what has to be done. And it does all that with grace, humor, song and dance, and very good acting! In the end, the play is about Mattering. And we ALL need to matter.

Dawn (Sharon Shao), Jenna (Ruby Day), and Becky (Tanika Baptiste) are waitresses in a smalltown diner in “Waitress,” presented by San Francisco Playhouse November 21 – January 18. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

The four main male ‘supportive roles’ are equally skilled, though are clearly background for the female leads.

Dawn (Sharon Shao) is ambushed by overeager Ogie (Michael Parrott) in “Waitress,” presented by San Francisco Playhouse November 21 – January 18. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

This tasty treat of the beloved Broadway favorite is now being served up for you by San Francisco’s theatrical jewel in Union Square, the SF Playhouse. Directed by co-founder Susi Damilano with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and very clever choreography by Nicole Heifer, you are highly advised to make room in your life for a slice of “Waitress”.

Pie for sale in the theatre lobby. Photo credit: Jessica Levant

You’ll put the silliness aside as your heart swells with empathy, emotion, and hope. And literally, not to be left behind, your appetite can be appeased with delicious pies available during the intermission brought to you by San Francisco’s Three Babes Bakeshop.

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Waitress, the musical, is based on a 2007 indie film written, directed in starred in by the late Adrienne Shelly. The musical was first mounted in 2015, had a 4-year run on Broadway, and has been produced over a dozen times in 10 countries since then.

San Francisco Playhouse is a nonprofit theatre near Union Square in San Francisco. The Bay Area’s most award-winning theatre company (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, 2012-2022), the Playhouse stages plays and musicals every year, including world premieres, Broadway and Off-Broadway hits, and thought-provoking works from playwrights around the world.

Shows: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7pm, Wednesdays: 2pm & 7pm, Fridays: 8pm, Saturdays: 3pm & 8pm, Sundays: 2pm Tickets or call: (415) 677-9596. SF Playhouse, 450 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.