Waitress at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Pies line the stage proscenium
Baking cart
Baking cart
A Waitress baking cart
Marc J. Franklin
Butter, egg, and flour
Milk made with powdered milk, which keeps longer
Flour, sprinkles, and chocolate chips
Kitchen unit
plates, trays, and condiments decorate the diner kitchen unit
Inside the diner kitchen unit
Diner food preset in the kitchen unit: real bread, prop scrambled eggs, real cherry pie and a real tomato slice on the side
Departing cast members sign the inside of the kitchen unit
Stage right wing
Preset pies
"Mermaid marshmallow pie. The majority of this pie is fake, but the top is sugar-free cool whip. This allows Dr. Pomatter to 'eat' a portion of the pie during a comedic transition. It is sugar-free on the request of the actor, as the sugar-free version is easier on the throat / vocal chords."
Preset flour, used to help knead dough
Sugar, butter, and mixing bowl
Pie cart
Chart of the pie presets
"4 slices pecan pie on pie cart. Eaten by ensemble during "Opening Up." It was important to Diane Paulus (director) and Lorin Lotarro (choreographer) to see the cast eating real food onstage, but we needed to be selective about this, just to logistically manage all the perishables day-to-day. It was decided to prioritize real food to be delivered to the downstage diner tables in scenes, while the patrons in the upstage banquettes (that are much farther away from the audience) receive plated fake food."
"Since Broadway theaters are so small backstage, it is typical to fly set and props pieces in the air, and only bring them to the deck when they are needed. The hospital bed is only used near the end of act two, so it hangs in the air most of the show. And most of the time, there are cast/crew/other set pieces directly below it, as it hangs in the stage right wing, which is very busy the entire show.
"The tiered wedding pie, stored on it's own flying platform. It too, is only used once. Both items are flown in using a chain motor, which allows the crew to bring them to the deck, and fly them out, quickly and quietly."
The stage left wing
"Three slices of fake pie and one real slice that is covered in aluminum foil, to protect is from getting dusty before it goes onstage. Fun fact: the pie slice in the middle of the pic, with the chopped-up chocolate bits and caramel sauce drizzled on top, is a cast favorite. Whenever we talk about the fake food that looks the most delicious, this is the winner, hands-down."
Wedding spoons
Props are frequently stored in the diner busing bins for easy storage and mobility
Diner condiments
Diner table
Diner props
Diner table props
