Few things in life are as satisfying as a good piece of cake, especially when you’re sad. There’s something about it that just feels warm and comforting.
The same energy is wonderfully summoned in “Waitress,” the musical prelude of the Arvada Center Season 2024/2025.
“It’s a musical about finding yourself, about friendships, about mistakes and how to deal with them,” said Anne Terze-Schwarz, who plays the main character Jenna. “We take the audience on a journey of hope and we want them to cry, laugh and feel something.”
“Waitress,” based on the film of the same name, runs at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Friday, August 30, through Sunday, October 13. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Directed by Lynne Collins, from a book by Jessie Nelson, with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, the show follows Jenna, a waitress and top-notch cake baker who is stuck in a small town and an unhappy marriage. When Jenna discovers she’s pregnant, she worries she really has no choice. But her friends, a baking competition, and a handsome doctor show her that there’s still something sweet in life.
“The show is very human and I love that Jenna is so real,” Terze-Schwarz said. “She’s just one of those people who lives her life day by day and tries to figure it out. She never loses her kindness and lets life inspire her as she plans her next move. She loses herself a little bit, but her choices help her find herself in the end.”
The show is a true ensemble piece, Terze-Schwarz added, and thanks to Bareilles’ compositions, the audience will be constantly swept away by truly beautiful and moving music. Songs like “When He Sees Me” and “You Matter to Me” are sure to be crowd favorites.
While many musicals tend to be larger than life, Waitress is a unique experience for audiences because they can identify with so many of the characters. At a time when so many of us are simply looking to connect with others, shows like this are more necessary than ever.
“At one point, Jenna says she hasn’t felt anything in a long time, and we want the musical to evoke feelings in the audience,” Terze-Schwarz said. “No matter what life experiences you’ve had, you’ll take something away from the show.”
For more information and tickets, visit https://arvadacenter.org/events/waitress.
Town Hall Arts Center gives it all at the Ovation Gala
Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center2450 Main St., is hosting its biggest fundraiser of the year with its Ovation Galafrom 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 24th.
For the event, a portion of Main Street in downtown Littleton will be closed off so attendees can sample specialty cocktails and a lavish dinner, enjoy live entertainment, and bid in a live and silent auction.
The gala is a great opportunity to support the center’s work to advance the arts and the Littleton community. For tickets, visit https://townhallartscenter.org/event/ovation-gala-2024/.
Q BBQ Fest brings hearty delicacies to Denver
BBQ is one of those dishes that simply tastes better outdoors and in company. This means that the participants of the Q BBQ Festheld on Community Center ParkA treat awaits you at 101 W. 14th Ave. in Denver, Thursday, August 22nd through Saturday, August 24th.
The event will feature grill masters from across the country cooking, smoking and grilling over 30,000 pounds of brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs for families and barbecue connoisseurs. In addition to the food, there will be live music, grilling classes on the Weber Cooking Stage and games and activities for all ages.
Tickets include all-you-can-eat food, access to barbecue demonstrations, a meet and greet with Tyler Florence, and a signed copy of his new book, American Grill. Tickets are available at https://qbbqdenver.com/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week – Glen Hansard at the Paramount Theatre
I have been fortunate enough to see many concerts in my life and I can safely say that the Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. His live show is full of joy and passion and just top-notch musicianship. On record and as part of the Oscar-winning group The Swell Season, his music can be a little laid back and calming, but in person it’s something really special.
In support of his latest album, the wonderful “All That Was East Is West of Me Now” from last year, he comes to Paramount Theater1621 Glenarm Place in Denver, on Saturday, August 24th at 8pm. The show will be an evening of musical joy and I highly recommend you don’t miss it.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s culture column appears weekly. You can reach him at [email protected].
