Backstage pass: CBS 58's Frankie Jupiter pulls back the curtain on green room culture in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Behind the scenes at some of Milwaukee's performance venues is a tasty and fun scene for artists and crew in the green room.

The entrance of the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee is stunning. With nearly 2,500 seats, the theatre has played host to legends such as Neil Young and Aretha Franklin.

Perhaps, what makes this place special to artists is what feeds the body and not just the musical soul.

"This is a kind of a dining sanctuary for artists on the road who tour and travel from city to city and it gives them the opportunity to experience something that they don’t get in most cities in America," says CEO and Co-owner of the Pabst Theatre group Gary Witt.

The offering of an executive chef, sous chef, pastry chef, and baristas shows the hospitality of the Cream City.

"When we took over this building originally it had white walls, it had a drop ceiling that was white it had white tile flooring," said Witt. "I think building out our hospitality backstage gave artist and management and tour managers and agents a reason to know that we are special, to know that we are intentional in our hospitality.

It’s a reminder that Milwaukee is a musical destination. The green room also has a vinyl collection and record player.

"Having a turn table and a bunch of vinyl, it brings artist back to what they listen to, the roots of the music," said Witt.

The Miller High Life Theatre has a seating capacity of just a little more than 4,000 and has played host megastars Diana Ross and Ringo Starr.

Kevin Sloan is The Pabst Theater Group's executive chef.

"This is the kitchen. This space was here, these floors, but there was just a dish station. No equipment. So, the big challenge was getting a hood system in," said Sloan. "There were like no gas line around, so we had to go fishing around the neighborhood literally, to go and try to find a gas line.

On the marquee was Alice Cooper and on the menu was food centered around the artist and crew.

"Well, I think the group today, I think there are 10 or 12 vegetarians. We definitely want to include a vegetarian meal. Our soup tonight is vegetarian as well as vegetarian pasta dish that we're doing," said Sloan on the day of the show.

When remodeling the green room space at Miller High Life Theatre, not only food was top of mind, so we're the amenities.

A Pac-Man arcade game, vinyl records, and player and piano can be found in this green room.

"Lots of beautiful light, the design in here is great. The musicians, they love it. They really do, we hear every time they walk through the doors. It's kind of fun watching them just check out the space and all the nice plants we have, and that kind of thing, so the reception's really good," said Sloan.

The hope is that the artist and crew know that Milwaukee is the place to be for their musical stop. A musical destination with great food, a touch of comfort, and a lot of love, the Milwaukee way.