WAFFLE PALACE Encore Moves Into Final Weeks

After a sold-out world premiere production last summer, Larry Larson and Eddie Levi Lee's "The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered and Scattered 24/7/365" returned to Horizon Theatre for an encore run starting in January; the triumphant return closes on March 17. ArtsATL praised the initial run as "an easy-to-eat mixture of the funny, familiar, corny, nostalgic, and odd," perfect for theatre-goers and Waffle House regulars alike.

Inspired by real life news stories about Waffle House restaurants, the play follows a Midtown diner owner, his staff, and a hilarious cast of customers as they battle to keep "The Waffle Palace" open against encroaching real estate developers. Larson and Lee have tweaked the story and script over the last few months to make the remount production even better than before. Developed as part of Horizon's New South Play Festival and a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, "The Waffle Palace" was nominated for three 2012 Suzi Bass Awards including Outstanding World Premiere Production.

The whole Waffle Palace crew (with one exception) is back for the 2013 production. Playwright Larry Larson returns as Waffle Palace owner John with Horizon regular Marguerite Hannah as his right-hand waitress Connie. Maria Rodriguez-Sager and Enoch King, currently appearing in Horizon's The Santaland Diaries, round out the Waffle Palace staff, and taking on a slew of oddballs and diner customers are returning cast members Allan Edwards and Eric Mendenhall with the addition of Mary Lynn Own, last seen on the Horizon stage in 2009's Third.

The production also boasts a decorated creative team led by Directors and Horizon Co-Founders Lisa and Jeff Adler. Lisa most recently directed Horizon's acclaimed production of Time Stands Still and received a Suzi Bass Award nomination for her direction of 2010's Tree. Jeff is in the midst of directing the 14th rendition of Horizon's The Santland Diaries and also headed up 2010's season opener Superior Donuts. Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay received Suzi Bass Award nominations this year for both their "Waffle Palace" scenic and costume designs. Adding all of the nuances to the show from waffles to jukeboxes are props designers MC Park and Kate Bidwell LaFoy, and rounding out the creative team are Horizon's resident lighting designer Mary Parker and sound designer Thom Jenkins.

The "Waffle Palace" performances are Wednesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 3:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM. Tickets start at $20. Tickets and information are available at horizontheatre.com or 404.584.7450.