June 2, 2025 • 10 mins
The Grand Rapids Civic Theater joins us to discuss their upcoming production of Waitress!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's Talk of the Town on news radio WOULD thirteen
hundred and one oh six nine f M. Steve Kelly
and Brett Pikita from West Michigan's Morning News. Grand Rapid
Civic Theater in Studio June sixth through twenty nine. Waitress
is playing in the play. Alexa Woolney is here who
plays down that's me, Mackenzie Pusey is Jenna. Thank you
(00:23):
for coming in, Absolutely so excited. We'll start with our
friend Nadia Skidmore, who's the director of marketing and Communications
but has been added to the list of those who
will be on stage as Becky. Nadia, thank you for
coming back in.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
I wanted to start with you, not just to talk
about logistics. It's the sixth through the twenty ninth and
GRCT dot org slash Waitress to find out information. But
this is one of your favorite plays.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It is It is my absolutes.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Maybe you saw the movie right, yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Absolutely? Like A cute little fun fact is my husband
and I started dating in the summer of two thousand
and seven and when the movie was released. We're really
big cinema fans. We go to the movies all the time.
That was actually our first movie together in the theater. Yeah,
And what was funny is that I didn't even really
remember that that was the first thing that we saw
together at the movies at Studio twenty eight. Mind you.
(01:18):
That's that's how old school we're going. Boy, right, it
doesn't even exist anymore forty years Hey yeah, hey, now
that's like my second age joke since walking into this building.
Thanks a bunch, guys. But no, he reminded me like
once you know, the the Broadway show started to take off,
and he's like, well, yeah, that's extra special because you
know that was our first movie and I was like,
(01:39):
yes it, yes, it was, Yes it was. I did
not forget that, but yeah, it just this this show
is is so special and so beautiful, and I mean
it is has just had a huge piece of my
heart since the since the Sarah Berla's like concept album
came out. I guess you would call it a concept album,
but she did an album that was called What's Inside
(02:01):
Songs from Waitress and it was just her version of
a bunch of songs in the show. Before it made
It's moved to Broadway, and I've just I've loved it
since then.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Her biggest I was at Star one of five point
seven before Wood Radio.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Oh yeah, love song, Yeah, I love song Brave absolutely totally.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So you may know Sarah burrellis that way.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
So let me ask you, Nadia, because this is not
the first time this has happened since you join us,
and you're so passionate about every show that comes to
the Civic Theater. That's why we have you on a
part with the crew, and that is the fact that
when you're in a production, what does that mean to you?
Does that take it to a whole other level as
far as promoting it. I mean, you do a great
job anyways, but I'm just saying being a part of that, yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
And I think like this one even goes be above
and beyond in terms of how special it feels. Right
because working on like the marketing communication side of things,
I always find some way to connect with every single show.
But I remember the day that our executive and artistic
(03:05):
director at the time, Bruce Tinker, stopped me in the
hallway at work and said, Okay, I need for you
to take off your actor hat for just a second.
We've been offered and I knew immediately, like I knew
what he was gonna say. We've been offered Waitress. And
that's something that happens at Granar Pacific Theater from time
to time is sometimes the rights holder of a musical
(03:29):
or a play will reach out to us before there's
a wider release for yes, yeah, yeah, before before there's
a wider release of a musical or a play being
offered to all community theaters. Because we're on the larger
side because of our market and everything else, we're sometimes
offered things in advance, and and he's like, so what
(03:51):
do you think, And I just I remember it was
this like combination of like my heart just stopping and
then also like this like breath of like yes, that's
exactly what we need in this season. Yes, yes, for sure, right,
especially because it's such a rarity to find a show
like Waitress that has the kind of history it has
(04:13):
on Broadway. It was the very first show on Broadway
to have an all women creative team. Wow, think about
how long Broadway has been around, right, and this is
the very first show. So that's both exciting and a
little bit shameful because also why did we have to
wait until twenty fifteen for a show to make its
mark on Broadway with an all woman team, and so
(04:35):
I mean that in itself makes it special. But to
know that we would have the opportunity to present it
here in West Michigan, it's just it's so exciting, and
you know, and I became a part of the process
just like everyone else, right, Like I still had to audition,
I still had to go through callbacks, and there's like
a little bit of extra pressure where it's like I
have to prove that I have earned this. I have
to prove that I belong here. It just wasn't given
(04:56):
to me because I work here, right, And so, oh,
that's happened before. That's happened before. Yeah, it's like you
can work someplace for a theater and audition and not
get in. And what's really cute is sometimes people assume, like, oh, well,
did you just not audition that season, And it's like, no,
I just wasn't the right person at the time.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
You're a better person than I could say. I don't
think I could handle that kind of if it happened
around It's real.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I can see it from her. I could see it
from her just because class. Yeah, she's so passionate about everything.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So Mackenzie Pusey plays Jenna, and you are relatively new
to the area, so talk to us a little bit
about now. I believe your husband encouraged you found out
about auditioning for this position.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
God bless him. I had not done theater since twenty
eighteen when I got pregnant with my first son, and
I just kind of was like, maybe I'll go back,
maybe I won't, you know, but I missed it really bad.
And then his job moved him here December three first,
and he was like, you know what, I think it's
(05:57):
time for you to do this for yourself now. He's
when he found the audition. He basically shoved me out
the door, as I was terrified, but I'm so gratefully
did It was.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
The coldest winter we've had in decades. I was.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I got here and it was white, and it was
still white. Two months later. I was like, does it melt?
My kids didn't even want to go outside.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
They're like, it's freezing.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I got to ask you something, though, Okay, going through
that perspective, I love the P word perspective, right, because
you become a parent, you go from college, you go
from high school, and you progress and you probably were
doing theater through that whole time. Do you feel that
you have a different stage presence now compared to the
younger version.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Yeah, I feel like I'm way more connected to like
my emotions, Like I think kids just do that to you.
And like I used to like if I had to
cry in a scene or something and be like, all right,
we gotta do this, like you gotta get some tears
or at least be really good at faking it. And
this show Man every scene, I'm like bawling and I'm.
Speaker 5 (06:51):
Like, what's happening to me?
Speaker 4 (06:53):
That's also probably because I'm pregnant again right now that
I'm like just an emotional mess at every rehearsal. But
I think having kids, I was a hunch, changed how
I act and approach the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So Alexa Walney is in the production is Dawn. Tell
us a little bit about what brings you to the
Civic Theater and how excited you are about playing this role.
Speaker 5 (07:13):
Oh yeah, absolutely. I did my first Civic show way
back when I was sixteen, way back, it's like six
years ago. But I immediately since this season was announced, I
had my eyes on Waitress. I kind of dreamt up
(07:33):
the reality that I'm living in right now and hardly
believe it. Nadia has known me since my first show
at Civic, and finding out that she was going to
be our Becky was an incredible moment. So really what
brings me to this show is I found out about
waitress in high school one of my friends saying she
(07:55):
used to be mine, and then I did some digging
and showed it to my mom and a lot of
the women in my life connect to this story, and
it's always been really impactful. When I auditioned, I didn't
expect I asked for ensemble, and I also didn't think
my voice would fit anyone correctly. Maybe Jenna, but I'm
(08:17):
way too young to be Jenna, and I've never had kids,
so that wasn't gonna happen for me. And then they
called me and told me I was done. I didn't
even believe them. Not even knows the exact phrase of
what I said, basically, but I just.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
It's good that.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
When you make that connection with the audience for the
ground up at Civic Theater. So I'm assuming you were
in high school obviously sixteen your first time. I always
talk about I knew someone in high school drama class,
and I remember him telling everyone he had made a
production the Civic Theater and we were just like, wow,
he had gone to Broadway as far as we were concerned, right,
(08:55):
But that's the way I feel about the Civic.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Theater and its history.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So when you step on that stage, can you tell
people that are listening right now that connection you have
with the audience and how great the audience is in
Grand Rapids with a production like.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
This, Yeah, the audiences in Grunner Upets are amazing. I
think this is the most proud and excited I've ever
been to be a part of one of the shows
that we get to offer to the community. A lot
of the times I've gotten to do some of the
sillier ones. This show really feels like a gift to
anyone who gets the chance to see it, because I
(09:30):
know every single person is impacted by the show who
watches it or is in it, and even in different ways.
But I really do think it's the most special production
I've ever been a part of. Definitely the biggest role
I've ever had the weight and responsibility to take care of,
But that has been the most incredible experience you.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Will see this passion come to life on stage June
sixth through the twenty ninth. Get tickets at GRCT dot org.
Nadia Skidmore, Mackenzie Pucey, and Alexa Woolney. Thank you all
for coming in today.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Thanks friends, We appreciate you, Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
This is Talk of the Town on news Radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM
It's Talk of the Town on news radio WOULD thirteen
hundred and one oh six nine f M. Steve Kelly
and Brett Pikita from West Michigan's Morning News. Grand Rapid
Civic Theater in Studio June sixth through twenty nine. Waitress
is playing in the play. Alexa Woolney is here who
plays down that's me, Mackenzie Pusey is Jenna. Thank you
(00:23):
for coming in, Absolutely so excited. We'll start with our
friend Nadia Skidmore, who's the director of marketing and Communications
but has been added to the list of those who
will be on stage as Becky. Nadia, thank you for
coming back in.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
I wanted to start with you, not just to talk
about logistics. It's the sixth through the twenty ninth and
GRCT dot org slash Waitress to find out information. But
this is one of your favorite plays.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It is It is my absolutes.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Maybe you saw the movie right, yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Absolutely? Like A cute little fun fact is my husband
and I started dating in the summer of two thousand
and seven and when the movie was released. We're really
big cinema fans. We go to the movies all the time.
That was actually our first movie together in the theater. Yeah,
And what was funny is that I didn't even really
remember that that was the first thing that we saw
together at the movies at Studio twenty eight. Mind you.
(01:18):
That's that's how old school we're going. Boy, right, it
doesn't even exist anymore forty years Hey yeah, hey, now
that's like my second age joke since walking into this building.
Thanks a bunch, guys. But no, he reminded me like
once you know, the the Broadway show started to take off,
and he's like, well, yeah, that's extra special because you
know that was our first movie and I was like,
(01:39):
yes it, yes, it was, Yes it was. I did
not forget that, but yeah, it just this this show
is is so special and so beautiful, and I mean
it is has just had a huge piece of my
heart since the since the Sarah Berla's like concept album
came out. I guess you would call it a concept album,
but she did an album that was called What's Inside
(02:01):
Songs from Waitress and it was just her version of
a bunch of songs in the show. Before it made
It's moved to Broadway, and I've just I've loved it
since then.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Her biggest I was at Star one of five point
seven before Wood Radio.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Oh yeah, love song, Yeah, I love song Brave absolutely totally.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So you may know Sarah burrellis that way.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
So let me ask you, Nadia, because this is not
the first time this has happened since you join us,
and you're so passionate about every show that comes to
the Civic Theater. That's why we have you on a
part with the crew, and that is the fact that
when you're in a production, what does that mean to you?
Does that take it to a whole other level as
far as promoting it. I mean, you do a great
job anyways, but I'm just saying being a part of that, yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
And I think like this one even goes be above
and beyond in terms of how special it feels. Right
because working on like the marketing communication side of things,
I always find some way to connect with every single show.
But I remember the day that our executive and artistic
(03:05):
director at the time, Bruce Tinker, stopped me in the
hallway at work and said, Okay, I need for you
to take off your actor hat for just a second.
We've been offered and I knew immediately, like I knew
what he was gonna say. We've been offered Waitress. And
that's something that happens at Granar Pacific Theater from time
to time is sometimes the rights holder of a musical
(03:29):
or a play will reach out to us before there's
a wider release for yes, yeah, yeah, before before there's
a wider release of a musical or a play being
offered to all community theaters. Because we're on the larger
side because of our market and everything else, we're sometimes
offered things in advance, and and he's like, so what
(03:51):
do you think, And I just I remember it was
this like combination of like my heart just stopping and
then also like this like breath of like yes, that's
exactly what we need in this season. Yes, yes, for sure, right,
especially because it's such a rarity to find a show
like Waitress that has the kind of history it has
(04:13):
on Broadway. It was the very first show on Broadway
to have an all women creative team. Wow, think about
how long Broadway has been around, right, and this is
the very first show. So that's both exciting and a
little bit shameful because also why did we have to
wait until twenty fifteen for a show to make its
mark on Broadway with an all woman team, and so
(04:35):
I mean that in itself makes it special. But to
know that we would have the opportunity to present it
here in West Michigan, it's just it's so exciting, and
you know, and I became a part of the process
just like everyone else, right, Like I still had to audition,
I still had to go through callbacks, and there's like
a little bit of extra pressure where it's like I
have to prove that I have earned this. I have
to prove that I belong here. It just wasn't given
(04:56):
to me because I work here, right, And so, oh,
that's happened before. That's happened before. Yeah, it's like you
can work someplace for a theater and audition and not
get in. And what's really cute is sometimes people assume, like, oh, well,
did you just not audition that season, And it's like, no,
I just wasn't the right person at the time.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
You're a better person than I could say. I don't
think I could handle that kind of if it happened
around It's real.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I can see it from her. I could see it
from her just because class. Yeah, she's so passionate about everything.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So Mackenzie Pusey plays Jenna, and you are relatively new
to the area, so talk to us a little bit
about now. I believe your husband encouraged you found out
about auditioning for this position.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
God bless him. I had not done theater since twenty
eighteen when I got pregnant with my first son, and
I just kind of was like, maybe I'll go back,
maybe I won't, you know, but I missed it really bad.
And then his job moved him here December three first,
and he was like, you know what, I think it's
(05:57):
time for you to do this for yourself now. He's
when he found the audition. He basically shoved me out
the door, as I was terrified, but I'm so gratefully
did It was.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
The coldest winter we've had in decades. I was.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I got here and it was white, and it was
still white. Two months later. I was like, does it melt?
My kids didn't even want to go outside.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
They're like, it's freezing.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I got to ask you something, though, Okay, going through
that perspective, I love the P word perspective, right, because
you become a parent, you go from college, you go
from high school, and you progress and you probably were
doing theater through that whole time. Do you feel that
you have a different stage presence now compared to the
younger version.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Yeah, I feel like I'm way more connected to like
my emotions, Like I think kids just do that to you.
And like I used to like if I had to
cry in a scene or something and be like, all right,
we gotta do this, like you gotta get some tears
or at least be really good at faking it. And
this show Man every scene, I'm like bawling and I'm.
Speaker 5 (06:51):
Like, what's happening to me?
Speaker 4 (06:53):
That's also probably because I'm pregnant again right now that
I'm like just an emotional mess at every rehearsal. But
I think having kids, I was a hunch, changed how
I act and approach the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So Alexa Walney is in the production is Dawn. Tell
us a little bit about what brings you to the
Civic Theater and how excited you are about playing this role.
Speaker 5 (07:13):
Oh yeah, absolutely. I did my first Civic show way
back when I was sixteen, way back, it's like six
years ago. But I immediately since this season was announced, I
had my eyes on Waitress. I kind of dreamt up
(07:33):
the reality that I'm living in right now and hardly
believe it. Nadia has known me since my first show
at Civic, and finding out that she was going to
be our Becky was an incredible moment. So really what
brings me to this show is I found out about
waitress in high school one of my friends saying she
(07:55):
used to be mine, and then I did some digging
and showed it to my mom and a lot of
the women in my life connect to this story, and
it's always been really impactful. When I auditioned, I didn't
expect I asked for ensemble, and I also didn't think
my voice would fit anyone correctly. Maybe Jenna, but I'm
(08:17):
way too young to be Jenna, and I've never had kids,
so that wasn't gonna happen for me. And then they
called me and told me I was done. I didn't
even believe them. Not even knows the exact phrase of
what I said, basically, but I just.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
It's good that.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
When you make that connection with the audience for the
ground up at Civic Theater. So I'm assuming you were
in high school obviously sixteen your first time. I always
talk about I knew someone in high school drama class,
and I remember him telling everyone he had made a
production the Civic Theater and we were just like, wow,
he had gone to Broadway as far as we were concerned, right,
(08:55):
But that's the way I feel about the Civic.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Theater and its history.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So when you step on that stage, can you tell
people that are listening right now that connection you have
with the audience and how great the audience is in
Grand Rapids with a production like.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
This, Yeah, the audiences in Grunner Upets are amazing. I
think this is the most proud and excited I've ever
been to be a part of one of the shows
that we get to offer to the community. A lot
of the times I've gotten to do some of the
sillier ones. This show really feels like a gift to
anyone who gets the chance to see it, because I
(09:30):
know every single person is impacted by the show who
watches it or is in it, and even in different ways.
But I really do think it's the most special production
I've ever been a part of. Definitely the biggest role
I've ever had the weight and responsibility to take care of,
But that has been the most incredible experience you.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Will see this passion come to life on stage June
sixth through the twenty ninth. Get tickets at GRCT dot org.
Nadia Skidmore, Mackenzie Pucey, and Alexa Woolney. Thank you all
for coming in today.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Thanks friends, We appreciate you, Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
This is Talk of the Town on news Radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM
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