Front of House

by Colin Waitt

At a cutthroat restaurant in NYC, culinary knowledge is a weapon for survival. A young server tries to pursue their dreams while dodging the tidal wave of culture clash, entitlement, and forced subservience that barrels toward them. FRONT OF HOUSE is a valentine to the people whose job it is to make the rest of us feel special.

At a cutthroat restaurant in NYC, culinary knowledge is a weapon for survival. A young server tries to pursue their dreams while dodging the tidal wave of culture clash, entitlement, and forced subservience that barrels toward them. FRONT OF HOUSE is a valentine to the people whose job it is to make the rest of us feel special.

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Front of House

Recommended by

  • A.J. Ditty: Front of House

    A Chekhovian farce of the highest order, FRONT OF HOUSE inspires as many belly laughs as it does panic attacks from anybody who's ever worked in the New York Service Industry. Waitt's precision with physical comedy is a wonder to behold, but, hidden among the slamming doors and upended plates is a surprisingly heartbreaking study of a ragtag group of people just trying to survive in an industry that constantly seeks to crush them. Poignant, heartfelt, and relentlessly hilarious, FRONT OF HOUSE delivers a full-course theatrical meal that will have you, like the characters themselves, declare it...

    A Chekhovian farce of the highest order, FRONT OF HOUSE inspires as many belly laughs as it does panic attacks from anybody who's ever worked in the New York Service Industry. Waitt's precision with physical comedy is a wonder to behold, but, hidden among the slamming doors and upended plates is a surprisingly heartbreaking study of a ragtag group of people just trying to survive in an industry that constantly seeks to crush them. Poignant, heartfelt, and relentlessly hilarious, FRONT OF HOUSE delivers a full-course theatrical meal that will have you, like the characters themselves, declare it "Tapa the Line".

Character Information

This play should be cast in a way that celebrates the diversity of New York City.
  • Tim
    Optimistic, queer, and very green. Probably reads as a little camp.
    Character Age
    Early 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (he/him/they)
  • Alex
    Jaded. Queer. Should feel of a different generation than Tim.
    Character Age
    40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (he/him)
  • Nancy
    A natural leader with difficulty navigating the line between boss and friend.
    Character Age
    Mid-Late 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)
  • Chef
    Passionate about food, does not have time for your bullshit.
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • José
    Charming, confidant, driven.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    American Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    (he/him)
  • Sandra
    Glass is half empty. Probably a native New Yorker. Walks with a slight limp due to years working in hospitality.
    Character Age
    Late 30s/Early 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)
  • Lauren
    Laid back. Doubles as Mo, Debra, and Logan.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)
  • Mo
    A hipster truffle sales rep who probably has a lot of specific opinions about what is cool. Doubles with Lauren, Debra, and Logan.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)
  • Debra
    A very wealthy, very entitled customer. Doubles with Lauren, Mo and Logan.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)
  • Logan
    Young, hungry, driven. Doubles with Lauren, Mo and Debra.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    (she/her)