From a Distance: Waitress

Hello Everybody! 

This is the first post of my new mini series, "From a Distance". I am really excited about these posts because I am going to revisit my favorite Broadway shows from the 2017 - 2019 season and look at them a year later. In 2018 I started writing about the Broadway shows that I have the privilege of seeing when they come to my city. I wrote about all of those shows, but now it is summer and I have nothing to write about. I thought it would be interesting to see how my opinions change overtime, and how praise and critics grow or die in the light of day.

The first show I'm going to be discussing is Waitress. This is one of my favorite shows, and I only love it more the longer it has been since I have seen it. When I think to myself what show I would want to see again from the 2017 - 2018 season, it is the one I would most often choose.

Waitress is heartfelt, intoxicating, and feminine.

From an all female team, this musical is most certainly one of my all time favorites. Whereas some shows have won me over with their extreme grandiosity, Waitress was able to captivate me with it's simplicity. I loved the funny characters, catchy tunes, and emotional themes. The story is seemingly simple at first, but turns into a narrative that is so captivating. I could feel the feminine influence, which was so refreshing. It was a wonderful mix of fun romances and personal growth.

Jenna's journey is honest and endearing. 

The character Jenna is so good. She turns from being unfeeling, with walls up on all sides of her, to honest, soft, strong, and vulnerable. I was so lucky to be able to see Emily Koch as Jenna. I absolutely love it when I get to see an understudy shine, and she did an amazing performance. To me, it makes the night so much more special when I get to see people who are not the regular performers.

I loved the lighting design for this show. The way that natural light was mimicked was beautiful. For example, sunlight appeared to be shining through window blinds, creating a stripped appearance on the floor. Also, the feeling of an early morning was portrayed beautifully in the opening scene when they are opening up the diner. The lighting was really the aesthetic element that stood out to me. Along with that, the sets served the story perfectly and were exactly what they needed to be. I loved the choice of having the band onstage as part of the diner.

I do have to say, "Take It From an Old Man" was a low point. A moment that was supposed to be sweet was actually quite boring. It felt strange to me that that particular character was singing that much. It took away from the mystery of his character. On the flip side of that, the star of the show was Jeremy Morse as Ogie. The audience absolutely loved him, he was so quirky and funny, even doing cartwheels across the stage.

A relationship so enthralling and melodic that you will never be truly satiated. 

Winning the award for the song I will never get sick of is "Bad Idea". This number is one of my personal all time favorites, with it's bouncy, seductive quality. Since May of 2018 I have listened to it on repeat countless times. Jenna and Dr. Pomatter's relationship is passionate and gripping, with tender romantic moments holding their story together. Absolutely my favorite relationship I have seen onstage.

Having seen Waitress over a year ago now, I can look back on how lovely it was. It is a modern musical with a simple classic feel. I still listen to the cast album regularly. I have not yet gotten bored of it, and I don't think I ever will.

Positively sweet. 

-Celia Boldizar

Cats

With grand musical numbers and brilliant lighting, this show is both delightfully playful and a sophisticated example of great theatre.

The artistic vision was amazing. The sets created a world that held the story, supporting it and blocking out the distractions of the goings on outside. I love when there feels like there is no backstage, the Cats set reminded me of Miss Saigon in that way.

*This review contains small spoilers. Nothing critical about the story, but other specific examples.

Thrilling, eye-catching, and chromatic.

My favorite part about Cats was the lighting design. I fell in love with what Natasha Katz did with this show. Everything was so colorful and creative. The most interesting and exciting choice was that there were strings of lights that came out into the audience and attached to the balconies. It really made the whole auditorium feel like it was a part of the show, especially paired with the actors often walking through the aisles.

The opening scene was one of the best I have ever seen. It started with an amazing lighting design choice, cat eyes shining in the dark, followed by more amazing lights and an intriguing instrumental.

Cats is a wonderful kid friendly show. It is nice to have a quality show to introduce children to theatre. In comparison, Anastasia was great for kids, but it was not a great example of what theatre can be.

"Cats" is a classic musical with incredible moments that people of all ages can enjoy.

I do have two critics. First, there needed to be more story elements. I was missing a problem for the cats to overcome, thus not allowing for a building climax or resolution. The story was mellow and relaxed, and there was no big problem. There was nothing that I was hoping to happen, no character development, or problem solving. All that happened was that they introduced the cats. It was fun, but there was nothing that put me on the edge of my seat. This leads into the second issue...

The moments that were good were outstanding, but the times that were bad were terribly boring.

 A couple of the musical numbers dragged on twice as long as they should have, and lacked in fun and interest. I could have done without a couple of the cats. Cut them out and then use that space to add some story elements.

Two musical numbers stood out and put a smile on my face that lasted well into the next day. The first was of course, "Memory".

I have never felt a moment of collective effervescence as strong as during that song. The whole room experienced this feeling that was so special.

At the climax the audience burst into applause because no one could hold in their joy. Individually, I was taken aback at the magnitude of emotion and pure feeling of the song. This is the exact feeling I live for. That feeling in your chest that is bursting with love. The best part about theatre is that it has the ability to give you this feeling, and I am so thankful for it.

The most fun song, and the coolest cat ever was "Mr. Mistoffelees".

It was so large and colorful, making it the most fun song ever. It got so stuck in my head the next day, which was just fine with me. I was obsessed with Mr. Mistoffeless' coat. Another aspect of this amazing lighting design, the coat had little lights on it that changed colors. The whole number was so aesthetically beautiful, it made my color-loving heart happy.

Overall, Cats is a fun-loving music that I very much enjoyed.

-Celia Boldizar