Sara Bareilles’ hit musical Waitress has returned to Playhouse Square for an extended run in the close confines of the Hanna Theatre. The show is based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly with a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Diane Paulus.

In this case, “a new look” does not mean improved.

The Hanna’s thrust stage has been removed and the theater’s excellent acoustical properties are buried under amplification. The vocalists and the compact onstage band, conducted by Lilli Wosk, often overwhelmed the space. What is usually an advantage in the Hanna (proximity of every seat to the stage) has become a liability.

For the complete review see https://coolcleveland.com/2022/06/theater-review-waitress-playhouse-square-by-laura-kennelly/