Waitress: Top-Tier Canadian Talent is on the Menu
By Vanessa McLeod
In a middle-of-nowhere diner in the American South, a crafty waitress, Jenna, bakes pies to escape her unhappy marriage. When she discovers that she’s got an untimely bun in the oven, will pies be the key to finally creating a life of her own?
That’s the premise of Waitress, the hit Broadway musical based on the early two-thousands cult classic film (starring Keri Russell) being baked to perfection right now at the Grand Theatre.
Directed by Rachel Peake, Waitress will satisfy your sweet tooth with delectable compositions by multi award-winning songstress Sara Bareilles - you may be humming her rom-com standard “Love Song” right now! These sensational tunes accompany a heartfelt story written by Jessie Nelson and based on Adrienne Shelly’s film. Whisked together to create the perfect blend of love stories, self-discovery, and courage, Waitress is sure to capture the hearts of audiences in London and beyond.
Co-produced with Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Waitress will make its southwestern Ontario debut on the Spriet Stage from March 25 to April 12, 2025. Grand Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Peake will be directing the heartfelt production featuring a breakfast buffet of top-tier Canadian talent, including Stratford Festival alums, two Queens from Six: The Musical (Mirvish), and a Canada’s Got Talent “Golden Buzzer” finalist and Juno Award-winning artist.
Among the impressive company is the star-studded trio of waitresses, all of whom are making their Grand Theatre debuts this month.
Arguably among the most impressive jobs in musical theatre is the role of an alternate, especially one in the pop theatre smash Six: The Musical. Julia McLellan was exactly that during the recent Mirvish run and will now trade in the studded platforms and pop diva persona for a pair of sensible white sneakers and an inspirational story as Jenna in Waitress. A Canadian triple threat who’s trod the boards on Broadway (Kinky Boots), McLellan is ecstatic to join the Grand this season to portray a character that allows her to explore all ranges of emotion.
“There are moments of pure joy and laughter, deep heartbreak and fear, and a love story that changes her life forever,” muses McLellan. “You get to flex your comedy muscles, explore some dramatic and dark themes, and experience her falling in love. There are so few roles that let an actor colour with so many different crayons, and I feel really lucky I get to bring her to life. My least favourite thing about it is how much we talk about pie- I'm constantly craving pie!”
Elysia Cruz, a Filipino-Canadian triple threat and former Six: The Musical queen, steps into the role of Dawn—Jenna’s shy yet sincere confidante. Reflecting on her character, Cruz shares, “She actually reminds me a lot of my younger self, her shyness, clumsiness, sense of comfort and contentment in her own familiar world full of order, and her fear of the unknown. Despite this, she also has a big heart full of love and care to give to those around her.”
Cruz draws on her own life experience to shape her portrayal of Dawn: “As an immigrant, I had these struggles when I first moved to Canada, I remember how badly I wanted to fit in, be understood and to connect with people. I pull a lot from those experiences when playing Dawn, she has such a pure and joyful way of looking at the world yet full of fear and anxieties when faced with an unfamiliar situation. I think many of us can relate to Dawn in a lot of different ways!”
Stacey Kay, a Juno Award-winning singer, rapper and Golden Buzzer Winner on the 2022 season of Canada’s Got Talent, rounds out the Waitress trio, bringing Becky to life in unforgettable fashion. “Becky is the kind of woman who says exactly what we’re all thinking,” Kay explains. “We’ve all had moments where we wanted to call out our boss for being annoying—well, Becky actually does it! She’s sarcastic, funny, sassy, and fiercely loyal to her friends. I love how unapologetically bold she is, and it’s such a thrill to bring her to life.”
Serve yourself a hefty slice of quality theatre, laughter, music, and heart - and see Waitress at the Grand from March 25 to April 12 with your choice of weekend matinees or daily evening shows. Tickets can be purchased at 519.672.8800 or at GRANDTHEATRE.COM.
Rehearsal Photo (header) – Photo by Preston Free Cooper
Singing: (L to R) Elysia Cruz, Julia McLellan and Stacey Kay
