My "Joseph" Family

Photos courtesy Taylored View Photography

"Yeah, well, I’ve got a dream too - but it’s about singing and dancing and making people happy. That’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And, well, I’ve found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. And, well, it kind of makes us like a family.” - Kermit the Frog

When I was 16, our high school put on Bye, Bye, Birdie - and when I came home from the cast party after closing night, sobbing inconsolably, my mother freaked out and thought something tragic had happened to me. No... I was just so sad that the wondrous joy of the show had come to a close.

Bye, Bye, Birdie held the spot as my favorite show experience - until May, when we started rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Right off the bat, it was clear that this was going to be a special show. The talent, the lack of egos, the warmth and affinity and respect everyone involved had for everyone else - it started off wonderfully, and its magic has only grown for the last three months.


Remember how I debated whether this was a good idea? Oh man. No doubt about it. This show has fed my heart and soul. I adore the people I've met and the fun I've had, singing and dancing and performing. Last night we went out as a cast, and I happily sat in the corner there at Wingers and observed. It warmed my heart, just being around these great people, watching how much we all enjoy one another's company. Our group has such a range of ages and backgrounds. Some folks joined the cast as replacements midway through rehearsals; some, like the "hairy Ishmaelites," came on board only in the final few weeks. Yet each person has been a huge component of the whole experience. Each personality has contributed to the fun, and each player brings his or her own strengths, whether it be phenomenal dancing or pulling hilarious faces that leave the audience giggling. And let's not overlook those who aren't on stage but who make the show pop with lighting, sets, costumes, music direction and choreography, and, of course, direction and vision. It's been a delight.

I love musical theater. Music, in and of itself, has a phenomenal ability to touch the heart and to convey emotions that words alone fail to reach. Music has always been an intrinsic part of my life - it was ever-present in our home growing up, and I've always had tunes playing more often than not. Combine that aural power with the visual storytelling of dance - also rife with emotional power - and then layer in lights, sets, costumes... and poof! You're transported to another world, if only for an hour or two, carried away in a story that runs a gamut of emotions. Whether it be Broadway tours of Wicked and Les Miserables or a local high school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, musical theater brings more joy to my heart than just about anything - and that joy grows exponentially when I'm the one on stage, pouring my heart and soul into the story.

Throughout childhood, I said I'd do community theater someday - and I have. And I do. It makes me delightfully happy - so much so, in fact, that I'll continue dancing (taking ballet two days a week and tap two days a week) and singing (I'm resuming voice lessons with my college vocal coach in September). If I'm going to continue with it, I'm going to commit to it, work to refine and develop my abilities, and do it right.


Meanwhile, tonight we get a night off before launching into the final three performances of Joseph. I can't wait to get back on the stage with my Joseph family - and at the same time, I want to savor the experience and not have it end too quickly. Just the thought of it ending made me misty-eyed yesterday. It's been fun to watch in the Facebook feed as all of us castmembers have added each other, wanting to maintain a connection. The show might end, but the friendships won't.

It's so funny - my time living in Lehi wasn't the greatest, honestly. (More to do with circumstances than with the town itself - it's a wonderful community!) And while I enjoyed Singin' in the Rain, it wasn't my best experience, either. Not bad, but not great. The wonderful director of Singin' in the Rain came to the show last night, and seeing him got me thinking about all of this. I'd felt strongly that I needed to do that show, and yet it wasn't a phenomenal experience for a myriad of reasons.

However, it was because I lived in Lehi that I ended up doing Singin' - and through that, I met my dear friend Paige, the amazing assistant director for Joseph who talked me into auditioning. Those two things laid the groundwork for me to do this show - and if for nothing else, that makes those 10 months worth it, warts and all. I really admire, respect, and enjoy the folks I've met in the Lehi Arts Council, and if they'll have me, I look forward to doing many more shows with them in the years to come. Next summer they're doing Crazy for You, which is all Gershwin numbers (my fav composer!) - can't wait to dust off my tap shoes and get to work!

And in the meantime, if you're around Utah, come to Joseph!!! You won't regret it. Check out the great reviews we're getting - and come see what all the buzz is about. The play runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lehi High School. Hope to see you there!

Amazingly Delicious Pasta-free Lasagna

Pasta-free lasagna? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Well, my friends, I am thrilled to report that I made it last night, and it is delicious. Like, the best lasagna I've ever made - and that means it's even better than The Pioneer Woman's take on the dish (which, while delish, is also ridiculously heavy - my version's light!).

I'd wanted to get Italian-seasoned turkey sausage, but alas, my store only had plain ol' ground turkey, so I improvised by adding garlic, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. So, feel free to play around with that part - the point is just to give the meat good flavor. Also, as for the sauce, I've been a lifelong Prego girl but decided to try Newman's Own, since it's all natural. Holy crepe, their roasted tomato and garlic is AMAAAAAZING!!! Not sure if it was the sauce or the seasoning of the meat, but the combination of the two was phenomenal. This was the most flavorful lasagna I've had.

Also, the sky's the limit with the veggies. I went with the squash and zucchini because I'd already sliced up a ton the night before, and I added chopped red bell pepper because I had it on hand as well, but you could totally sneak in some grated carrots, cooked broccoli and cauliflower, etc., and it'd be wonderful.

And so, without further adieu, by popular request, here's the recipe, which I made up based on this one with some added awesomeness.

Pasta-Free Turkey Veggie Lasagna

Prep time: 80 minutes (except you can multitask and make it go faster)
Cook time: 35 minutes
Makes 10 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. zucchini
• 1 lb. squash
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
  
• Italian seasoning (recipe calls for 1/4 tsp., but you need more to season turkey to taste)
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
  
• 2 c. tomato pasta sauce (Cups, schmups - I just used the whole jar, and it needs it)
  
• 16 oz. ricotta cheese (you could use cottage cheese... but why?)
  
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs (optional - I only used a few Tbsp., and you could skip altogether for gluten/carb issues)
  
• 2 c. mozzarella, part-skim
• 3 c. spinach
• 1 c. fresh basil (I just used the entire little container from the store)
  
• nonstick cooking spray

Directions:
Heat oven to 425° F (218° C). Coat one large or two small baking pans with nonstick cooking spray.

Cut all squash and zucchini - the recipe recommended lengthwise in half and then cutting each half lengthwise into slices about 1/4 inch thick. However, I had already sliced thin circles the night before, and that worked well, too. Also chop red bell pepper, if you're adding that.

Spread squash and zucchini (and optional red bell pepper) on pans in single layer and season with Italian seasoning.

Bake for 25 minutes, turning over once halfway through baking. (Don't worry about keeping them in the single layer after flipping - I just mixed them around, and it worked fine.)

Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375° F (190° C).

While the veggies cook, brown the turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, seasoning with the fresh garlic, crushed red pepper flakes to taste, Italian seasoning to taste, and black pepper. Once the meat has browned, add the trimmed spinach and pasta sauce. I recommend turning the heat down and letting it simmer until you're ready to assemble the lasagna.

In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, basil, egg yolks, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Blend until all ingredients are combined and smooth.

Now comes the fun part: assembling the lasagna! Don't worry about making it pretty or getting all the layers perfect, because I'm convinced that's not possible with this recipe, and in the end, it didn't matter. Trust me here.

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs over the bottom of a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan (again, honestly, I consider this optional). Cover the bottom of the dish with half of the zucchini and squash slices. Next, spread half the ricotta mixture over the squash and zucchini slices. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs (or, if gluten-free, maybe use a little cheese to create a barrier between the layers?) and repeat the layering of zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, and pasta sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.

Bake for about 35 minutes. Cheese should be browned and bubbling. Let stand for 10 to 25 minutes before serving.

Greetings from Canada!

Well, hey, friends! Greetings from Canada! I'm having such an amazing trip with my dear friend Stacy, adventuring through the beauty of the Rocky Mountains - Glacier, Waterton, Jasper, Banff - before wrapping up our stay in Calgary, seeing Wicked and going to opening day of the Calgary Stampede (with Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge - gah!!!).

Before we head out to get our hike on, I just had to share with you the ridiculousness from yesterday, high atop a mountain overlooking Jasper. We'd taken the Jasper Tramway to the top, and... well... I just couldn't resist. It's probably the closest I'll get to Salzburg - gotta take what I can!