The Warmth Of Jessie Mueller Allows "Waitress" To Let Its Audience Bask In A Transcendent Glow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      There is no way to recreate the transcendence of a theatrical experience.  You just have to be there.

                                         On Friday night, at 8PM, the curtain wait up on "Waitress."  The house lights went down, and a circle of light appeared onstage, seemingly empty.  Suddenly, lit, in the center of that circle, stood Jessie Mueller.  She hadn't made a move or a sound.

                                           And the audience went wild.

                                          But Jessie did not just bask in the glow.  She took center and sent out into the stratosphere that phenomenal voice that can pierce one to the very soul.  Whatever "Waitress" may turn out to be, Jessie lets audiences up front know she will see they are in good hands.

                                           Which she does.

                                             The big surprise of the evening is that "Waitress" is not just Jessie.  The supporting cast that surrounds her is up to her level, and each gets a moment of their own.  Chris Fitzgerald, so good as Og in "Finian's Rainbow," gets a show stopping number in Act One.  And everyone shines.

                                              I was surprisingly moved by the level of the story--a young woman from an unstable home, marrying too young, and finding an outlet with her mother in pie making, and the naming thereof.  She channels that skill into a career, while the marriage goes sour. And while Nick Cordero has the almost thankless job of playing abusive husband, Earl, there is a duet that he and Jessie have, that makes it clear Earl loves Jenna (Jessie's character) but does not know how. Not all crumbling relationships have this insight, but, in its own quiet way, this was a daring move, on the part of Sara Bareilles and Diane Paulus, who, with this show, may get off the Island Of Lost Directors that Julie Taymor is still stuck on.

                                               With Kimiko Glenn as Dawn, and her showstopping turn, and Keala Settle as co-worker Becky, I see potential for a lot of TONY nominations here.   Jessie, without a doubt!  I also found Dakin Matthews' performance as Joe lovely and engaging, when it finally went somewhere in the second act.

                                                  I walked out of this show craving two things--a piece of cherry pie, and another evening with Jessie Mueller. As long as "Waitress" runs, I can have my fix!  As can the rest of us who adore Jessie!  I know you are out there!

                                                   A viewer just wants to sit on that diner stage as part of the action.  But, like I said, Jessie's glow permeates far beyond the proscenium and into the hearts of every audience member.  I cried real tears, when she sang "She Used To Be Mine," sure to become one of Jessie's signature tunes.

                                                   In short, I was captivated, darlings, and you will be, too!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Keep going, Jessie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!