Shrimp and Cheese to Taffy and Cake, the Ultimate Tony Party Menu

Broadway’s biggest night, The Tony Awards is coming up tonight. From the red carpet, fabulous dresses, glitzy performances and acceptance speeches that have you cheering and reaching for the tissue box it’s the perfect night for Broadway lovers everywhere. So, of course a viewing party is in order! But, sometimes things like pizza just sound boring and not as fun and exciting to serve to you fellow theater loving guests. We’ve created a Tony-inspired menu featuring your favorite nominated shows that is fit for a party!

Appetizers

As your guests arrive why not start them off with "An American in Paris" cheese and cracker plate and some "Airline Highway" Cajun seasoned shrimp to get the night going with a kick!

Entrée’s

Now that the red carpet is almost over and your guests are ready for dinner and the start of the awards, it’s time to serve them a choice of a British favorite, "The Curious Incident" of the fish and chips platter complete with tartar sauce or for the more adventurous foodies a taste of Siam(modern day Thailand) with "The King and I" chicken satay.

Munchies

Some guests just need a little something in between courses. So, scatter around couple of bowls of "On The Town" Coney Island nut mix for your guests to snack on throughout the night.

Dessert

No dinner is complete without dessert, so to complete your meal give your guests a pick me up with some "On The Twentieth Century" coffee and a slice of "The Visit"’s sinfully delicious Brachen chocolate cake that tastes almost as good as a Tony victory!

Drinks

To go along with all of your tasty food or to just sip on throughout the night, offer your guests a "Something Rotten" Margarita, a "Wolf Hall" Tudor Ale and for the non-drinkers some of "Gigi"’s elegant sparkling cider, bonus points if it’s pink! 

To Go Boxes
As the night winds down, pack up any leftovers for your guests in a "You Can’t Take it With You" box with some "Fun Home" Beach Creek saltwater taffy so that they can have some fun munchies to start the work week off right!

'Glee'-bye

“By its very definition, glee is about opening yourself up to joy.”

It’s hard to believe that it’s time for me to write this. When I was younger the thought of this seemed almost nonexistent-like it was a question that should never be asked. Even though I was fully aware that shows must come to a close, the ending of Glee was something that I couldn’t even fathom. I know that I’m already getting all emotional, in fact it’s taken me some time over the course of the past few weeks to write this.

         Later this week, Glee will air its last and final episode after six years on the air, ending a television phenomenon. While like many shows (and relationships) it’s had its ups and downs saying goodbye to this show in a way feels like saying goodbye to a friend and closing a door of adolescence. I was 16 when Glee was beginning to air its first season. I was a young, musical theater obsessed girl in High School who like many of the shows characters and loyal viewers felt out of place in my school environment. I was not like the typical high school student, I was different and I yearned to find something whether it was a TV show, book or movie that I could look at and see myself. Like Rory Gilmore did on Gilmore Girls, I lived in a world of books growing up. I was a painfully shy child and clung to the pages of the beloved characters in my stories. I also had learning needs, which worked to set me even further apart from the other students at school. I had very little in common with the vast majority of other girls in my high school but we all thought that Josh Duhamel was a dreamboat (and he is)!

My parents always told me that I was unique, smart and that I should never go doubting those special traits, quirks, intense love for theater and books. Like all other teenagers I dutifully sat, listened and nodded all while thinking, “they just don’t get it”, “they don’t understand me” and of course “blah blah blah, are they done yet?!” Then along came Glee.

         I will always remember the first time that I saw Glee, I realized that it was different than anything else on television. When I turned on the TV, I felt as if I could really see myself in these characters. I personally identified with the character of Rachel Berry. While I can’t sing a note on key-trust me you don’t want to hear it and I don’t consider myself bossy, we happen to have a lot in common. We’re both quirky and we know what we want in life. We’re very driven, focused people and we will do whatever it takes to accomplish something and no one is going stop us. While we both have our moments of doubt and times that we are scared to proceed in fear of what can happen, we and with the help of others always work to find a way to overcome it.

         Watching those early episodes of Glee was comforting in a way-it made me feel like I could do anything and worked to instill a newfound sense of confidence in myself. Growing up with learning differences, I often felt out of place, judged for something that I couldn’t help and was often told “no.” Many times, school felt like being the last kid picked for the kickball team or being thrown into the deep end of the pool before you are ready. Watching Glee not only helped me accept my differences and quirks but to also celebrate them, as they are not only a part of me but also what make me unique. As the song from Shrek says “what makes you special makes you strong.” 

         Glee not only broke music records but it shined a light on musical theater -that alone puts a big smile on my face but, it also instilled a sense of confidence and pride in many of its viewers. The show has changed television, captured our hearts, broke down stereotypes and made countless individuals feel accepted. It showed its fans that anything was possible and just because you dream of something else like Broadway it doesn’t make you a “loser” by any means!

         6 years and 121 episodes later since it all began it’s time to say goodbye. Thanks Glee for all of the memories! It’s been quite a ride and you’ll be greatly missed!

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828

Top 10 Glee Performances

It’s hard to believe that this Friday, Glee will air its final episode after 6 seasons and over 700 musical numbers. While myself and many others are sad to see this show go, before we say goodbye I’m counting down my Top 10 Glee performances from mash-ups, solos, duets and original numbers!

10. Start Me Up/Living on a Prayer Mash-Up

Season 2

This performance is one that has just stuck with me over the seasons. I don’t know maybe it’s just how different it was or how it sounded but I have just always loved it!

9. Pretending/Light Up The World

Season 3

Yes, I’m combining these two together because I don’t think that you can talk about one without the other. It was between Pretending and Light Up The World that Finn/Rachel had that reunion kiss or as Kurt called it “The kiss that missed” at Nationals that year which cost them Nationals. Also doesn’t hurt to mention how amazing those original songs are!

8. Rise

Season 6

This original song written by Darren Criss made is his first AMAZING contribution to the Glee music catalog (his other will come in the series finale) I felt really encapsulated not only the theme of the episode it was used in but what the entire Glee club represented and stood for over the years.

7. Be Okay

Season 5

Lea Michele and Naya Rivera’s voices always sound incredible together but the combination of that with the up-beat and consistent perky feeling of the song just makes it that much more infectious and never fails to put a smile on my face!

6. Teenage Dream

Season 2

Darren Criss’s Glee debut, where we first meet the Warblers, the start of Klaine. I think myself along with countless others collectively swooned over this performance-I know that I played it and the song over and over again (still do actually).

5. Girl on Fire

Season 4

Naya Rivera has a killer voice-we all know that. But this song really showcased her voice in a powerful song.

4. Singing in The Rain/Umbrella Mash-Up

Season 2

I think that I’ve seen this one on almost every favorite Glee performance list! Guest star Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Morrison just make the song and the choreography combined with the rain on the stage just made it visually incredible to watch.

3. Don’t Rain on My Parade

Season 1

This is one of those performances that you always seem to mention/remember whenever you talk about Glee and for good reason too. Lea Michele gave one of her best performances on this iconic song, making it slightly different while still paying homage to Barbra’s original rendition. Years later, it still blows me away.

2. Faithfully

Season 1

Maybe it’s just the die-hard Finchel fan in me but who can forget that Finn just blurted out to Rachel that he loved her right before they sang this song in the Season 1 finale. In a song that became the couple’s ship anthem Finchel was finally united!

1. Don’t Stop Believing

Season 1

Yes, call me cheesy, corny whatever but to this day this is my all time favorite Glee performance. It was when myself and others realized how special this show was. I still get a few chills when I listen to it years later!

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828

The "Unknowns" of Theater

One of my favorite parts about going to shows is getting to see all of these talented actors who are poised to become the next “it” actors of the theater! It is such a treat to get to see them perform and think that they are on their way to becoming next big thing-we’ve definitely seen it before from Brian D’Arcy James, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Andrew Rannells, Jon Groff, Lea Michele and now Jeremy Jordan. While considered somewhat “unknown” today these extremely talented people are bright stars of our tomorrow!

1.Barrett Wilbert-Weed

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Veronica in Heathers and Nadia in Bare:The Musical

From her breakout performance in Bare to most recent triumph in Heathers, Barrett is a standout performer with the acting chops and pipes to match-also I went to see Bare and Heathers with different friends who each said the same thing about her “Her voice is incredible-she’s going to be the next big thing!”

2.Taylor Trensch

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Christopher alt. in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Boq in Wicked, Peter in Bare:The Musical and more

Taylor is one of those performers that is for one consistently putting out great work but is also incredibly diverse. From his funny one-liners as Matilda’s brother in Matilda to his moving and heart-wrenching performances as Peter and Christopher he has proven that he can successfully take on roles from all different genres.

3.Courtney Reed

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Jasmine in Aladdin, Carla in In the Heights and Mamma Mia

I said it before in my post about Aladdin, but Courtney is a star in the making. Playing an iconic Disney character can do that, look at Sierra Boggess but, Courtney has the presence and a voice that is comparable to Lea Salonga which will only work in her favor. I’m going to start the campaign for her as Pocahontas in a musical of the classic film(or Rapunzel in Tangled as she’s said before) and Kim in Miss Saigon now!

4.Alysha Umphress

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Hildy in On The Town and American Idiot

The breakout star of the year, Alysha has shown her impeccable comedic timing and killer voice in her star-making turn as the candidly funny cab driver Hildy in On The Town, delivering a performance that people will remember for years. Oh, she’s also a fellow Barbra fanatic-need I say more!

 

5.Joshua Henry

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Flick in Violet, Bring it On, Jake in Porgy and Bess and more

While he is no stranger to the theater-he’s got quite the resume and his beautiful performance as Flick in Violet took all the notice, I left wanting to see more work of his. Flick was one of those roles that people will look back on and remember as well as brag to their friends how they loved him in a show before he was a big theater sensation!

6.Ciara Renee

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Leading Player in Pippin, the Witch in Big Fish and Esmeralda in the upcoming Broadway Production in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

I had the pleasure of seeing Ciara when she was in Big Fish and while I missed her in Pippin, I have tickets to go see her in Hunchback at Papermill. In Big Fish, Ciara gave one of those performances that was so memorable, yet she had a smaller role. It was clear that that was not the last that we would see of her. Not only is she a dead ringer for Esmeralda but now, she too joins the ranks of the Disney stage performers something that I’m sure will present her with many more incredible opportunities! 

7.David St. Louis

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Jake in Side Show and more

In a role that was previously inhabited by Norm Lewis in the original production, David gave an outstanding and touching performance that made everyone take notice. While it still saddens me that the Side Show has closed, as well as hoping for a Tony nod for him, I know that is not the last that we will see of him.

8. Janel Parrish

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Mona in Pretty Little Liars, For the Record shows in LA and Young Cosette in Les Miserables

You might know her from the TV world as Mona on Pretty Little Liars or most recently Dancing With the Stars but Janel has been working in theater since she was a child. With past work including the L.A. production of Spring Awakening, she’s currently performing out in L.A. in the For The Record shows which celebrate the films of accomplished directors with the likes of Tracie Thoms (Rent), Lindsay Pearce(The Glee Project) and Corbin Reid(Rent Off-Broadway). Known for her acting, Janel has got an incredible voice and personality that will make all theater audiences take notice. If Miss Saigon ever comes back to Broadway along with Courtney, Janel is on my short list to play Kim!

9.Taylor Louderman

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Wendy in NBC’s Peter Pan Live! and Campbell in Bring It On:The Musical

From cheerleader to Wendy Darling, Taylor has proven not only her wonderful voice but ability to hold her own as the sole female in group of Lost Boys! As the other NBC Live! broadcast has done, it has brought Taylor some well-deserved exposure that I am hoping will lead to more incredible opportunities!

10. Matt Shingledecker

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Fiyero in Wicked, Roger in Rent Off-Broadway, Tony in West Side Story and Spring Awakening

I first saw Matt in Rent and if anything it was clear that he has a star-like quality about him. He has played some loved and well-known roles that have been done by many other iconic theater actors, not an easy thing to do. But he makes the roles his own in shows such as Rent and Spring Awakening, which have massive fan bases. I can’t wait to see him in Wicked and if you haven’t I strongly urge you to listen to his rendition of One Song Glory, you won’t regret it!

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828