Kudos to director, Debra Allbright, for her work on the musical performance, “Into The Woods” at Union County High School. The successful interpretation of the New York Broadway hit was a challenge for cast and director. Together, they pulled it off. Actors, singers and dancers performed without revealing the many hours of work needed for success. She was able to inspire and lead the students to do their best. I was impressed with the students ability to carry the thin story line by singing to canned music. That would not be an easy task. There is no better way of learning appreciation for an art form than by participation. It is why school basketball players may not become professionals but they will become basketball fans. Throw together the fairy tale stories of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Rapunzel and some story of a Baker and his wife and you have the story line. One of the difficult parts of producing high school drama is that directors must work with revised Broadway production scripts. Plays are not written with high school drama in mind. On the plus side local people who will never make it to New York or see a Broadway show get a taste of culture (how does the other fellow live) for little money and a short drive. Local residents responded well to this high school musical. They have come to enjoy the comfortable seats at the auditorium, the mikes the actors wear that make sound audible even in the back row. The screams of the witch were almost ear piercing. Costuming was well done. Loved the dancing of the blackbirds. . In all, the performance made for a “fun” evening. If you are throwing the “closing” party for cast, director and production crew, here are two recipes that will be hits in their own right.
Upside Down German Chocolate Cake
Spray Pam in a 9 by 13 pan.
Spread 1 cup chopped pecans in bottom of pn.
Spread 1 cup coconut in with the pecans.
Prepare cake mix as directed on box. Pour over nuts and coconut.
In a saucepan melt 1 stick butter, add 8 oz. cream cheese. Stir until creamy. Add 1 ½ cups P. sugar. Stir well.
Pour over cake batter.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Cool and flip over onto plate. Cut and serve. Delicious.
If you need even more chocolate try this old, but goodie recipe.Double Chocolate Crumble Bars
½ cup butter ¾ cups sugar 1/4tsp. Baking powder 2 eggs 2 cups small marshmallows 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup peanut butter ¾ cup flour 1 (6 Oz.) pkg semi-sweet chocolate ½ cup chopped nuts 1 1/2cups Rice Krispies 2 Tbsp. cocoa ¼ tsp. salt Cream butter and sugar well. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture. Add nuts. Spread into greased or parchment paper lined 9 by 13 pan. Bakeat 350 for 15-20 minutes Sprinkle marshmallows on top and bake for 3 minutes. Cool. In saucepan combine chocolate and peanut butter. When chocolate is melted stir in cereal. Spread on top of cooled bars. Chill until chocolate sets. Cut into bars. Yummy!
