Horizon Theatre's Heartwarming Waffle Story

We went to Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points last night to see "The Waffle Palace." I'd met some of the cast last month when I went to The Waffle House Museum, where they were special guests, and have wanted to see the play ever since. 

The performance was phenomenal! The story is solid, the acting is superb, the set is clever...it was an overall incredible theater-going experience. I actually want to go see it again. 

The Waffle Palace at Horizon Theatre,
(Brandon Alexander, Maria Rodriguez-Sager, me, Marguerite Hannah)

If you've ever been to a Waffle House, you'll totally "get it." Beyond the fun they have with the Waffle House culture, there's a touching human story--that story is central to the show and evokes an emotional response, just as any good performance does.

The 2.5 hour performance, and a 10-minute intermission, kept my attention the entire performance...I didn't drift, think about work, wonder who had sent me a text...I was right there with the performers for the duration. 

After the show, practically the entire cast hung around to talk with their fans (which as far as I could tell was everyone in the audience!). They were all absolutely delightful!

The Waffle Palace at Horizon Theatre,
(front) Brandon Alexander, Maria Rodriguez-Sager, Marguerite Hannah,
Mary Lynn Owen, (back) Larry Larson

The show has been running since January 11 and even on a cold, rainy night, the theatre was practically sold out (it may have been, actually...perhaps the few unoccupied seats were those who didn't brave the rain). 

I have to mention the set...the brilliant set! It's designed to look very much like you'd expect a breakfast diner to look. Counter with swivel stools, juke box, open kitchen (grill), neon sign outside, tables with condiment trays and plastic menus, and booths. 

Some of the booths are unique in that a couple of them are front row seats, so the guests occupying those seats are actually on the stage! How much fun is that?!

The Waffle Palace at Horizon Theatre,
Post-performance Set

I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the kindness of the Horizon Theatre staff. They were super friendly, engaging, and enthusiastic about the fun we were about to have with the performance. I wish more business understood the extreme importance of first impressions...these guys get it! "Thank you" to all the Horizon Theatre staff for a great evening!

The concessions are some of the most reasonable I've see in a very long time! And they have GIANT cookies that seemingly everyone else was enjoying (they obviously knew something I didn't). Next time I go, I'm totally indulging. 

You've probably figured out by now that I think The Waffle Palace is fantastic...it's a brilliant show and I recommend it to anyone--from Buford Highway to Buckhead, from Conyers to Alpharetta, and anyone visiting from out of town, get yourselves to Horizon Theatre to see this show!

Horizon Theatre, Little Five Points