You can not make that up ! The first time Marie-Ève Janvier heard about Waitressa musical comedy about a waitress who dreams of winning a baking competition, it is by Joël Legendre, on the set of the show that they co-hosted at the time: The best pastry chef in Quebec ! “Joël was returning from a weekend in New York,” explains the singer. He had seen Waitress and he loved it. After briefly describing Jenna, the main character, he said to me: you would be really good in that role! »
Two years later, Marie-Ève Janvier, very pregnant with her third child (Louis, now one year old), films from her kitchen the audition which will allow her to land the role of Jenna, the heroine of the musical inspired by its author and composer, Sara Bareilles, by the feature film by Adrienne Shelly released in 2007. “From my first listening to She Used to Be Minethe flagship song of Waitresswhich is called Hidden deep inside me in French, I fell in love with the words and the music. After discovering the rest of the work, what she says, what she recounts, what she dares to tackle, all while being amusing, and often even very funny, I absolutely had to audition . »
After Notre Dame de Paris And The ten Commandmentsbut above all Don Juanwhere she played Maria nearly 300 times, Marie-Ève Janvier affirms that she wanted this role in Waitress like never before she had cared about a role. “Without taking anything away from everything I’ve done before, I feel like this is an important meeting, perhaps the most important to date. To return to musical comedy, to get back on stage, to get away from a daily life that I love, with the radio and my children, I was waiting for a character like that of Jenna, a role which is both very close to me and which at the same time leads me to surpass myself. »
No doubt, for the 39-year-old woman, this is a pivotal moment. “I couldn’t have played Jenna before. Everything I have experienced over the last ten years leads me to dive into this experience without restraint, to reconnect with the interpreter without being devoured by insecurity, by choosing openness, trust, kindness and the truth. Already, I can tell you that it is a magical adventure, full of emotions, carried by a fantastic team, who works hard and above whom the stars seem aligned. »
Dreams on a human scale
Produced by ComediHa!, the Quebec version of Waitress, which comes eight years after its premiere on Broadway, will be presented in Montreal and Quebec in the same staging as everywhere else in the world. Assisted by Joël Legendre, New Yorker Abbey O’Brien is in Montreal to ensure that Diane Paulus’ production is respected down to the smallest detail. “It’s going that way,” recognizes Janvier. The pace is hectic, but fortunately we all arrived very prepared and Abbey’s directions are very clear. We have tight buttocks, of course, but that doesn’t stop us from working with happiness and pleasure. Yes, there is a format to match, a formula to reproduce, but there is also a lot of space to create, to bring our color. »
Marie-Ève Janvier wishes to point out that this production is different from the flashy image that we have of Broadway. “It’s much more real, much more intimate. The strength of Waitress, is to illuminate and even celebrate people’s normal lives. We represent what everyone experiences, the goals that we all have, dreams on a human scale. This is why, in my opinion, so many people recognize themselves in this story. »
Waitress in a modest restaurant located in the South of the United States, Jenna makes tasty and original pies that attract customers. For dark days, she can count on the unwavering friendship of her colleagues, Becky (Sharon James) and Dawn (Julie Ringuette). After unexpectedly becoming pregnant by her husband, Earl (Jean-François Beaupré), a man who has become frustrated, bitter and violent, Jenna begins an affair with her gynecologist, Dr.r Pomatter (Renaud Paradis). Looking for a way to improve her lot, she bets on a pie-eating contest and its grand prize. “This story takes us through the whole range of emotions,” explains Marie-Ève Janvier. We laugh, we cry, we are afraid, we are happy… Jenna asks herself lots of questions, she constantly doubts, and it’s not difficult for me to identify with her. In rehearsals, I’m often on edge, there’s even a scene that I haven’t yet managed to finish without crying. »
By addressing domestic violence and the right of women to control their bodies, without forgetting the incredible strength of sorority, Sara Bareilles’ musical presents a frankly feminist discourse. “There is a friendship between these women that is very inspiring,” explains Janvier. We feel between them a solidarity in adversity, a spirit of community, a girl power in which, I am convinced, many women will recognize themselves. At the very end of the performance, there are three women on stage in full control of their destiny. It’s a strong, feminist image that I am very happy to show to my whole family, but even more to my daughters, Léa and Laurence. »
While admitting that the show is likely to spark a sudden craze for making and eating pies, the performer is above all convinced of the social impact it could have. “I think it will light a little fire among those who attend. Some will reconnect with an old dream. Others will realize that they are in a toxic relationship. In my opinion, there is everything you need in Waitress to trigger this kind of awareness. »
Even if she fully realizes the privilege she has of experiencing extraordinary things today, on a human and professional level, the singer says she is entirely capable of understanding Jenna. “Me too, there are dreams that I have abandoned, mourning that I have had to grieve. There were times when I, like Jenna, like everyone else, left myself aside and prioritized others. It’s sometimes painful, but it’s part of life. Encourage us to make peace with these stages of our journey, with these parts of ourselves, this is in my opinion the most beautiful message that transmits Waitress. »