The Tonys!

Here's the menu from a Tony Awards viewing party I catered. I did a little research and themed the food around the plays. I'll explain as we go:

Sunday June 12, 2011- The Sixty-Fifth Annual Tony Awards

~To Start~ 

"Catch Me If You Can" High-in-the-Sky Mixed Nuts

Roasted peanuts, cashews & pistachios in three flavors:

Sweet Rosemary, Lemon-Thyme and Four Pepper

You know, because Leonardo DiCaprio's character pretended to be a pilot back when pilots were sexy instead of just being so underpaid that it drives them to the sauce. And y'know, they used to actually give people peanuts for free on airplanes (even I vaguely remember those days).

~

"The Motherfucker with the Hat" Mushroom Toasts

Mushroom caps with caramelized onion, e.v.o.o

Cap is a synonym for hat. 
~

"Book of Mormon" Virgin Jello Shots

Citrus-Orange blossom and Elderflower-Thyme Gelees

It is a fairly well known stereotype that Mormon's love Jello. In fact I have it on good authority from several Utahan friends that it specifically applies to green (or "Lime") Jello. This fact confirms for me that Mormon's are the ultimate Americans, but somehow actually makes them even weirder than regular white people. In a relatively feeble attempt to counter the previous slurs I will say that as far as I can tell, Mormons are a pretty good looking bunch if you go in for white guys with blond hair on their lean but not overly muscled forearms. 
Moving on to...  

~Mains~

 "Good People" Boson Lettuce Salad

Buttermilk dressing, Manchego shavings

The play takes place in Southie. It sounds good. Frances McDormand plays one of the leads. That's mainly why it sounded good to me. I like Boston accents too. They're hideous but they remind me of Marky Mark.                     

~

Bunbury's Buns Sweet Potato Biscuits

In "The Importance of Being Ernest" Bunbury is an imaginary friend whose scrapes and escapades serve to allow the protagonist to regale his more proper acquaintances and family with tales of his own misdeeds. And also serves as an excuse for sudden departures. Obviously Oscar Wilde appreciated good buns and good excuses.  Really though, these were a modified Martha Stewart recipe. I truly love Martha Stewart. And I truly deeply love Oscar Wilde. Yes, I know. I know.

~ 

Chicken Paillards 

w St. George's Dragon Fire Chutney

The play "Jerusalem" (which has nothing to do with Jews or Arabs or Jesus or Artichokes thankfully) takes place in Wiltshire, on the Feast Day of St. George. The main character is kind of a derelict. St. George is famous for slaying a dragon. There's a really great painting (I can't remember whom by) with him thrusting his sword and the dragon whipping his head back in his last act of defiance before total defeat and proper submission to God... Look it up. Don't get it confused with St. Michael slaying Lucifer (who usually is depicted with curly hair and a big schnoz...) My mother loves that one. Jew's really like Catholic art. I think it's because we're not supposed to idol worship. Right, so, the chicken...the chutney was spicy. Like fire. From a dragon. Slain by St. George. Tenuous, I know.

~

"Scottsboro Boys" Alabama Collards

Bacon cooked greens

"The Scottsoboro Boys" is a play about the wrongful conviction of black teenage boys for the rape of a white girl in Alabama and nothing about that is delicious. Southern cooking (unlike bigotry and rape) is quite delicious.

 ~Dessert!~

"Sister Act" Nuns' Habit Black and White Custard

Bittersweet Chocolate, Custard, Whipped Cream

I did a standard sweet pastry crust and brushed on the melted chocolate, letting it harden, before adding egg custard and chocolate whipped cream and swirling them. Chocolate and custard are sort of black and sort of white, still less tenuous than the St. George thing I'd say.