By KEN KLINGENMEIER
A Seat on the Aisle
Brightening the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre stage for summertime 2025 is the Broadway hit Waitress. This Tony Award-nominated musical is directed and choreographed by Stephanie Torns, an alum of the original show. Lending her expertise to B&B’s uber-talented cast results in a tenderhearted production which is bound to fill the seats at this popular venue.
At its inception, Waitress was a 2007 Hollywood film, which was adapted for the stage as a musical in 2015 with a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. It ran on Broadway for over 1,500 performances.
Indianapolis native (and Broadway veteran) Keirsten Hodgens stars as Jenna, the pie-baking marvel at Joe’s Pie Diner who faces a complicated life with a bad marriage and a baby on the way. Blessed with an angelic voice and top-level acting ability, Ms. Hodgens presents a wonder-filled performance as her Jenna triumphantly survives the troubles she faces. Her lamenting solo, “She Used to be Mine,” is a showstopper.
(From left) Chanel Edwards-Frederick as Becky, Keirsten Hodgens as Jenna, and Grace Atherholt as Dawn. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Joining Ms. Hodgens are Grace Atherholt and Chanel Edwards-Frederick as Dawn and Becky, Jenna’s co-workers at the diner. The ladies add much to the story arc with memorable turns, and the trio’s combined vocals are some of the most enchanting musical moments of the production.
Noah Berry is excellent as Jenna’s obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter. Berry offers a wide range of abilities with his humorous, touching and song-filled portrayal. Berry’s duet with Ms. Hodgens, “You Matter to Me,” is just beautiful – sentimental and heartrending.
Logan Moore impresses as Earl, Jenna’s cluelessly selfish husband. To say Earl is a despicable jerk would be leaving out most of his bad qualities, but somehow Moore, in one scene at least, makes us almost feel sorry for the guy.
Brett Mutter knows how to be funny, and his hilarious portrait of Ogie, Dawn’s goofy, but loveable, boyfriend brings the house down. Filled with a sincere and eager devotion to his mother, his hobbies and his poetry, Ogie is a classic Mutter characterization. (His handling of a suddenly broken chair will be told and retold in B&B lore.)
Douglas Stark makes his brief appearances count as diner owner Joe. Mr. Stark gives him a wise-old-man aura and is endearing in his efforts. Filling out the cast are Adam du Plessis as Cal the cook and Arielle Faye Beane as Nurse Norma. Both adroitly supply a good stock of one-liners along the way. Imani Dancler appears as Lulu, Jenna’s daughter, with a certain sparkle.
Music direction by Kristy Templet adds quality as she leads the onstage orchestra through the beautiful score. One can also see Ms. Templet’s deft hand in the close-harmony vocalizations throughout. Set design by Shaun A. McIlquham is highly functional for the many quick scene changes and costumes designed by Kathy Henry are on the mark. Chef Larry Stoops’ buffet is themed to the diner with a brunchy selection.
Bottom line: A blend of marvelous ingredients makes this show a must see. The fine performances, the timely storyline, and the dynamic score all combine to offer the audience a production that deserves its standing ovation.
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