Opened: October 17, 2017

Book by: Jessie Nelson

Music & Lyrics by: Sara Bareilles

National Tour Cast: Desi Oakley, Ryan G. Dunkin, Lenne Klingaman, Charity Angél Dawson, Larry Marshall, Nick Bailey, Grace Stockdale, Jim Hogan, Maiesha McQueen, Bryan Fenkhart, Jeremy Morse, Kyra Kennedy, Autumn Rae Sanchez, Quinn Eden Titcomb, Mark Christine, Donterrio Johnson & Gerianne Pérez

While a strong national tour, Waitress can’t compete with the perfection of its Broadway counterpart.

Waitress Jenna (Desi Oakley) is bored with her life and dreams of something more. When she becomes pregnant and meets her new doctor, Jim Pomatter (Bryan Fenkhart), her life is thrown upside down with an affair and lies taking over her life.

Both Oakley and Fenkhart start the show on stiff notes seemingly unable to figure out how they want to portray their characters. This causes them to miss their chemistry at the start. However, both actors grow in their roles during the show finding their footing by the end – Oakley shines on “She Used to Be Mine.”

The supporting cast mostly shines with Lenne Klingaman and Jeremy Morse shining as geeky lovers Dawn and Ogie.

Final say: Missed connections lead to a bumpy show. ★★★☆☆