Vanilla ...mashed potatoes?

[MarkBearSF]

As I was watching "She Loves Me" again and loving the dropped ice cream snafu, I started thinking - What is in the carton?  It occurred to me that frozen phlegmy ice cream would probably be about the worst thing (especially right before the high notes). Does anyone know what's in the yellow carton - mashed potatoes?

[broadwayguy91]

MarkBearSF said: "As I was watching "She Loves Me" again and loving the dropped ice cream snafu, I started thinking - What is in the carton?  It occurred to me that frozen phlegmy ice cream would probably be about the worst thing (especially right before the high notes). Does anyone know what's in the yellow carton - mashed potatoes?

 

"

most likely. I remember watching a Behind the scenes hollywood industry documentary and they said they use mashed potatoes to simulate ice cream on screen, because unlike ice cream, mashed potatoes wouldn't actually melt from all the camera lights. I'd imagine they would do the same on stage, since spotlights can generate a lot of heat. 

 

[CindersGolightly]

No, it's soy/vegan vanilla ice cream. Laura said so in a Facebook Live interview with the New York Times.

[dramamama611]

Which would also explain why it so often slips off the wooden spoon.

 

Yum.

[broadwayguy91]

soy ice cream? no wonder it doesn't give her phlegm

[John Adams]

I wanted to know what the "Mona Lisa" cream was made of. It had the ability to stick to Georg's suit, yet seemed to wipe off pretty easily without leaving a stain. Any guesses?

[LizzieCurry]

Mashed potatoes was my theory too, but vegan ice cream would make sense as well! I still wondered why the lack of condensation on the carton.

[dramamama611]

I dont think the cream isn't cream at all.....it's some sort of fabric/material...likely with velcro on the back.   The shape of it on the stream seemed EXACTLY the same as when I saw it just a few weeks ago, and in exactly the same place.  Even in the theater I thought it looked fairly fake, even moreso during the stream.
 

Notice the next time you watch it, how awkwardly they actually cover the clean up, much turning of bodies so you can't see them do it.

[madela2]

dramamama611 said: "The cream isn't cream at all.....it's some sort of fabric/material...likely with velcro on the back.   
Notice the next time you watch it, how awkwardly they actually cover the clean up of i

 

"

I saw this from the front row and I thought it looked a lot like a really light shaving cream type substance. Also, one of the times I was there the "mona lisa" got on not only his jacket but also his clothing under his jacket.

 

Thank you for this thread! I have been wondering about the ice cream since I figured she surely wouldn't be eating real dairy ice cream.

[rjm516]

That would be so awesome if it was vegan ice cream! I wonder what brand it is and if they know! 

[CATSNYrevival]

You'd think it would be credited in the playbill but it doesn't seem to be.

[broadwayguy2]

Just a note on prop food in general.

If it is not eaten on stage, it is almost likely absolutely fake - latex, sponges, etc. If it IS eaten, what it actually is can vary widely, though there are a few general tried and true go to choices. First and foremost, food choices will be based on food allergies, then what the actor is willing to eat 8 times a week and what their dietary restrictions are. After that, it is about what looks correct from the audience, what will hold up on stage, and what is able to be consumed efficiently on stage and not hamper the action. Most every good props designers have their own secret tricks.

The podcast "in: 1 with Cory Pattak" has has wonderful extensive interviews with several props designers where they specifically address the challenges of consumable prop food in several productions and provide specific examples of challenges they have faced due to show conditions and actor restrictions.

[rjm516]

^ So interesting thanks for the tip!

[dramamama611]

Why would they credit it in the playbill?  Unless they are getting it for free (or greatly reduced) there is nothing to "credit".

[Tag]

A good marketing team should have jumped at a sponsor, but that's not the case here unfortunately.

ie.  Ice Cream by Haagen Dazs, buy it in the lobby!

[CATSNYrevival]

^That's what I was thinking. Especially if it's a specialty vegan ice cream shop in town you'd think the publicity would be worthwhile.

[Valentina3]

If it were mashed potatoes, that'd explain Amalia's "there's something wrong with this icecream". Eating mashed potatoes before singing sounds gross. Also, she totally puts the icecream down, gets a sip of water before she starts singing. It's staged well enough that it's easy to miss. There's no eating in between the song and she ends with either eating it again in some shows or just staring at it lovingly - based on lighting cues catching on in time. The Act 1 finale also has a clever way of her getting some liquid (wine) before her big number.

 

 

[broadwayguy2]

"If it were mashed potatoes, that'd explain Amalia's "there's something wrong with this icecream"."

I am not sure that makes ANY sense. Why would a character comment in the food being a prop?

And you are welcome for the tip. :)

 

[Fantod]

broadwayguy2 said: "Just a note on prop food in general.

If it is not eaten on stage, it is almost likely absolutely fake - latex, sponges, etc. If it IS eaten, what it actually is can vary widely, though there are a few general tried and true go to choices. First and foremost, food choices will be based on food allergies, then what the actor is willing to eat 8 times a week and what their dietary restrictions are. After that, it is about what looks correct from the audience, what will hold up on stage, and what is able to be consumed efficiently on stage and not hamper the action. Most every good props designers have their own secret tricks.

"

Unless you're Jenna Maroney, in which case you have to eat 4 pieces of pizza at every performance, a total of 32 pieces of pizza a week.

[John Adams]

dramamama611 said: "I dont think the cream isn't cream at all.....it's some sort of fabric/material...likely with velcro on the back.  
[...] Notice the next time you watch it, how awkwardly they actually cover the clean up, much turning of bodies so you can't see them do it."

Yup, I noticed that! I also saw what might have been some palming, or slight of hand going on to get whatever the substance is onto his suit.

I've downloaded the two In: 1 podcasts that feature topics on Props, as recommended by broadwayguy2. I also subscribed to the podcast. I haven't had a chance to listen yet. Hope they're good!

[broadwayguy2]

I *love* in:1. :)

[mc1227]

broadwayguy2 said: "Just a note on prop food in general.

If it is not eaten on stage, it is almost likely absolutely fake - latex, sponges, etc. If it IS eaten, what it actually is can vary widely, though there are a few general tried and true go to choices. First and foremost, food choices will be based on food allergies, then what the actor is willing to eat 8 times a week and what their dietary restrictions are. After that, it is about what looks correct from the audience, what will hold up on stage, and what is able to be consumed efficiently on stage and not hamper the action. Most every good props designers have their own 

 

"

Thanks for the interesting insight!  I have often wondered about this topic while watching actors "eat" on stage.

[morosco]

If you watch the recording of SUNDAY IN THE PARK Bernadette is clearly eating a store bought Hostess Twinkie when she sings "Everybody Loves Louis".

[broadwayguy2]

Also, I think similar may be covered in the BROADWAY's BACKBONE podcast interview with Lorin Latarro and not in:1, as I have not revisited the interviews recently, but there is a good discussion of the prop food - fake eggs, etc, and shortcuts used in WAITRESS to allow Jenna to appear to bake efficiently and realistically on stage.