Featured photo Tasha Gorel, courtesy of Tyler Ray Lewis.
Nearly 10 years since the musical first opened on Broadway, Waitress is taking America by storm in regional theaters across the country. That includes the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where one actor’s take on a fan-favorite character is going viral for all the right reasons.
Tyler Ray Lewis is currently playing Becky in the theater’s production of Waitress, a role originated by Keala Settle on Broadway and played by Charity Angél Dawson in the recent filmed version, now streaming on Max. Lewis is the first-ever nonbinary performer to take on the part, a fact they’ve highlighted in posts about their performance on TikTok and Instagram.
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“POV: The first non-binary Becky tore opening night off the MF bone 👏🏾👏🏾,” they wrote on a video of them performing the character’s show stopping number “I Didn’t Plan It,” which opens the musical’s second act.
Needless to say, Lewis absolutely nails the song. Their performance caught the attention of both Settle and Dawson, who showered Lewis with praise on Instagram.
“🥹❤️🔥🥹❤️🔥🥹 FEAST, MY LOVE!!!!!” Settle commented.
“Devour love! DEVOUR! 👏🏾💞💐🤩 Congratulations friend!! Tear it up!! 🔥🔥,” echoed Dawson.
They also got love from a fellow nonbinary icon making it big in musical theater: Marty Lauer, aka Marcia Marcia Marcia, who’s currently on Broadway in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club, playing Victor and understudying the Emcee. “SING!!!🥹💛,” they wrote in Lewis’ comments on TikTok.
Beyond their jaw-dropping performance, Lewis proves the power of trans– and nonbinary-inclusive casting in theater. Several commenters pointed out the added meaning Lewis’ identity adds to the song, casting lines like “a story written by my own hand” and “I’m sick of the way I’ve been waiting to break free” in a new light.
It’s far from Lewis’ first time putting their spin on an iconic role. They’ve also played Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, and Pabbie — aka the lead troll — in Frozen, to name just a few of their roles.
Who’s to say what they’ll do next — but for now, though, Lewis is performing in Waitress at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre through June 15. For any theatrically inclined West Coasters, tickets are available here.
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