"Waitress" Serves Audiences At Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre

David Socolar and Jisel Soleil Ayon in "Waitress" - Photo: Jeremy Daniel

By Frankie Kujawa
​Running from Saturday, November 6th – Sunday, November 7th, “Waitress” triumphantly returns to warm the hearts of Charm City audiences at the Hippodrome Theatre. Baltimore’s own David Socolar, who stars in the performance, recently sat down to discuss the upcoming show, weathering the pandemic, and his excitement to perform for his hometown audiences.

"Waitress" actor David Socolar chats about his upcoming return to Baltimore.

“I am thrilled about returning to Baltimore for the show,” exclaimed Socolar. “I was born and raised there. I [attended] Friends School from 3rd grade through high school. After going off to Connecticut for college, I returned to Baltimore during my summers off.” Now, Socolar returns to Charm City as Dr. Pomatter in Broadway’s national tour of “Waitress.”

​“Waitress,” is the feel-good musical about Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life. When a baking contest in a nearby county, as well as a satisfying encounter with someone new, both show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Featuring original music and lyrics by Grammy® Award winner Sara Bareilles, “Waitress” will warm the hearts of Baltimore audiences.

It is Socolar's Dr. Pomatter who Jenna encounters in the performance.  "Jenna Hunterson is the person [audiences] follow throughout the play, and we find out very early on that she is pregnant.  So, Dr. Pomatter is her OB/GYN.  He's a little clumsy and a little bit awkward.  He also has his own sort-of sticky past and present.  He and Jenna's stories kind-of get entwined in a little bit of romance."  Socolar explained , "So it's a fun one to watch unfold. It's a great role to play."

“Audiences can also expect a very human story,” Socolar added. “It’s one I think everybody can connect to in one way or another. In many ways it’s a comedy, but I think audiences will run the gamut of the emotional spectrum throughout the evening. There are some very great performances in it.  The music of Sara Bareilles is just wonderful to sing and hear. So, I think people can expect a lot of fun and a lot of feeling.”

Upon learning about the production's scheduled stop in Baltimore, Socolar was eager to reconnect with many from his hometown.  "One of the first things I did was make sure I had a couple of tickets set aside for my middle and high school theatre directors who were so influential to me, as well as for my friends, too.  Some people have come out of the woodwork on social media, and have said they want to come and see me perform.  I have family coming, as well. You know, when you grow up in a town, and you're in theatre, and now you're going to perform at the theater that you used to go to see shows perform years earlier, it's really amazing.  To step out onto the stage, now, as one of the performers is going to be a little bit surreal, I think. It's very exciting."

Socolar was grateful to return to the stage after the pandemic darkened theatres around the globe.  "My God, [returning to the stage] could not have happened soon enough!  It was such a difficult eighteen months; when everything that you have worked toward just sort of slipped out from under you.  So to come back to it has been really magical.  I think that everybody sort of has a greater appreciation for coming out on the other side of it.  Both the audiences watching and the people performing.  From all aspects of the show - the performers, the crew, the stage hands, the directors - it feels like we all have purpose again. There's no better way to put it. It's been really great!"

For more information on the upcoming performance, or tickets, please visit: ​bit.ly/BalWaitress