ABOUT THE SHOW: WAITRESS

Brought to life on Broadway by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, Waitress features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, and a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson. Waitress is inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film and offers a special recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places. Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop… until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Supported by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she’s been missing all along — courage. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Waitress is a Michigan community theatre premiere.

RATED: PG-13 due to some violence including domestic abuse, adult language, use of alcohol, and sexual situations.

Waitress is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES

June 6 – 29, 2025 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm)

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Waitress is proudly sponsored by Hungerford.

TICKETS

CLICK HERE for tickets.

ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCES

Audio Described Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, June 14; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, June 11; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances. We believe that all people should experience the thrill, excitement, and storytelling of live theatre. CLICK HERE to see a variety of accessible programs and services based on the needs of our community.  

STAGE DOOR DRINKS + LIBATIONS

Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, join us 60 minutes before curtain at both performances to purchase beer, wine, seltzer, and soda in the lower lobby. You can enjoy your drink inside the theatre while you watch the show and return to Stage Door Drinks & Libation during intermission (where applicable)! All beverages from Stage Door Drinks + Libations will come in a reusable souvenir cup! Return with your glass to other Stage Door Drinks & Libations nights throughout the season and get a discount when you re-use your cup.

AUDITION

Friday, February 21, 6-9pm and Saturday, February 22, 12-4pm; Callbacks Monday, February 24, 6-10pm. For details and more information click HERE.

MEET THE CAST

CLICK HERE for the cast list.

PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE CAST PERFORMANCE INFO

Alternate Cast performs on Thursday evenings; Young Jenna/Lulu perform:

Thursday, June 5th: Briella Deuel
Friday, June 6th: Josephine Lee DeJager
Saturday, June 7th: Briella Deuel
Sunday, June 7th: Josephine Lee DeJager

 

Wednesday, June 11: Briella Deuel
Thursday, June 12 Josephine Lee DeJager
Friday, June 13: Briella Deuel
Saturday, June 14: Briella Deuel
Sunday, June 15: Josephine Lee DeJager

 

Wednesday, June 18: Josephine Lee DeJager
Thursday, June 19: Josephine Lee DeJager
Friday, June 20: Josephine Lee DeJager
Saturday, June 21: Briella Deuel
Sunday, June 22: Briella Deuel

 

Wednesday, June 25: Josephine Lee DeJager
Thursday, June 26: Josephine Lee DeJager
Friday, June 27: Briella Deuel
Saturday, June 28: Josephine Lee DeJager
Sunday, June 29: Briella Deuel

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: ALLYSON PARIS

Music Director: CRAIG SWATT

Choreographer: HANNAH SULLIVAN

Stage Manager: ALLISON BAKER-MATHYS

VOLUNTEER

CLICK HERE to get involved with the production.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Check back to see how the show is brought to life at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

DIGITAL PLAYBILL

Once the show has opened, you can CLICK HERE to access the show’s Digital Playbill. Why digital and not printed? This decision had many factors that went into it including the reduction of our paper footprint in an effort to be more climate-conscious as well as budgetary restrictions coming out of the pandemic. Digital Playbills remain archived long-term and can be accessed HERE.

MEDIA AND MARKETING

From promotional and production video trailers to local television and radio spots, you’ll find it all here.

CLICK HERE for the promotional video trailer.

CLICK HERE for the extended promo video trailer.

CLICK HERE for the extended production video trailer.

CLICK HERE for the production video trailer.

CLICK HERE for the FOX17 Morning Mix interview and performance. 

 

For media requests, contact Noddea Skidmore, Director of Marketing and Communications, at n.skidmore@grct.org.

 

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SEASON AT Grand Rapids CIVIC THEATRE?

'24/'25 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO