becky
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For most of us, 2020 has been a year of longing. Longing for family, for work, for travel, for carefree drinks with friends, for that much-loved restaurant or coffee shop. But when I think about the many things I’ve missed this year, theatre definitely ranks at the top of the list.
Whether in New York or London, it’s long been my custom to spend at least one night a week in a theatre. Plays or musicals, new works or old—you name it, I’ll see it. I also love reading about Broadway and the history of the theatre, or watching documentaries about the industry. 2020 is almost certainly the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing some form of live, in-person entertainment.
Theatre isn’t just a passion, it’s also one of my two professions. I’m as proud to be a costume designer and wardrobe stylist (and member of both the Theatrical Wardrobe Union and United Scenic Artists) as I am to be a Le Cordon Bleu graduate and a professional pastry chef.
Last year I created a gingerbread version of a classic London pub. When it came time to decide what type of gingerbread house I’d make this year, a theatre seemed like the logical choice. And because I’m indecisive and couldn’t narrow it down to just ONE theatre, I decided I’d build an entire block (or most of it, anyway!)
Recreating the New York Theatre District
West 45th Street in NYC boasts one of the best views in the Theatre District, and perhaps in all of midtown. All of those glittering marquees, right in a line, so inviting and so full of promise. Wind around the corner to Shubert Alley and down 44th Street toward bustling 8th Avenue, and you have a swath of Manhattan which perfectly captures the electric energy of Broadway.
Some artistic liberties were taken here, of course, but I’ve done my best to celebrate the spirit of these streets, even if it isn’t quite 100% architecturally (or geographically) accurate!
Kaufman and Hart coined the phrase “the fabulous invalid,” describing Broadway’s never-ending ability to rebound, no matter the circumstances. Theatre has bounced back before, and it will again.
After all, there is nothing else like it.
A Few Notes on My Gingerbread Creation
All work here is my own, created entirely from gingerbread (using a base recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction). All pieces have been piped in royal icing, with various decorative elements including metallic cocoa butter and edible glitter. With the exception of a few lollipop sticks and toothpicks, and the board on which I built it, this gingerbread creation is also 100% edible.
This piece took about five days to create. It is not particularly large in scale, measuring approximately 14 x 22 inches (35 x 55 centimeters), which meant lots of teeny tiny piping! A set of minuscule piping tips came in especially handy for this project.
Feel free to check out my social media feeds, where I’ll be posting additional photographs along with videos capturing the piece in 3D. You can find me on Instagram at @bastecutfold.
