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 and ASL Interpreted 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.
MEET THE PRODUCTION STAFF
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.
For media requests, contact Noddea Skidmore, Director of Marketing and Communications, at n.skidmore@grct.org.
