PLACE YOUR MUSICAL ORDER FOR "WAITRESS" AT THE SHUBERT

Serving customers at a restaurant can be a fun or frustrating situation, depending on who is giving you their order. Whether you desire a fancy five-course dinner or just a slice of blueberry pie with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, your pleasure in your meal depends often as much on the server who brings it as it does on the food itself. If you are lucky, you might have Jenna wait on you and if you truly fortunate you might be feasting on a generous slice of one of her perfectly baked pies. Jenna has the reputation to have been trained in her culinary skills by the angels. From Friday, March 4 until Sunday, March 6, you are cordially invited to take a comfy seat at Joe’s Diner as the engaging musical “Waitress” with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and book by Jessie Nelson waltzes delightfully into New Haven’s historic Shubert Theatre. Jenna may be the queen of her baking skills but in the love and marriage department she is struggling. This sweet hearted woman is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl, one that is truly complicated when she discovers she is pregnant. Jisel Soleil Ayon’s Jenna is finally forced to take some actions and resolve her personal problems. Her first step is to become a patient of Dr. Jim Pomatter, a gynecologist played by David Socolar, who takes more than a professional interest in Jenna’s situation. Her second step in getting her act together is to enter a pie baking contest in a nearby county. Armed with her unique recipes for such delights as Mermaid Marshmallow Pie, The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie,” the contest’s grand prize could just be the big chance she so desires. If she has the courage, Jenna’s third step will be taking a stand for happiness and freedom by abandoning her loveless marriage and leaving Earl. That recipe is more elusive than most and harder to find the proper ingredients for, but with the help and support from her sister servers, her crusty boss and her loyal customers, Jenna may just find the courage she needs to gain everything she is seeking. Additional cast members include Kennedy Salters, Gabriella Marzetta, Brian Lundy, Shawn W. Smith, Richard Coleman, and Michael R. Douglass as well as accompanying ensemble. Direction is by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus with energized choreography by Lorin Latarro. For tickets, please call the Shubert Theatre, 247 College Street, New Haven at 203-562-5666 or online at shubert.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours as well as masks are required. “Waitress” will also be coming to the Palace Theater in Waterbury from Friday, April 22 at 8 pm. and Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call 203-346-2000 or go online to ticket sales.com. Check the menu for your choice of delectable slices of perfect pie and don’t forget to leave a generous tip for your favorite waitress.