It was Cupcakes Galore yesterday, August 16, 2016, when the best of Bucks County bakeries competed in a Cupcake-Off, the first ever cupcake competition at Bucks County Playhouse. Broadway, TV and film star Justin Guarini, taking on the role of his character in Cake Off, the new musical at the Bucks County Playhouse opening this weekend, hosted the competition, while the rest of the cast and the Alex Fraser, Producing Director of BCP, judged. Scroll down for photos from the event!
The bakeries that competed include: Maryanne's Pastry Shoppe, The Lucky Cupcake and Maison Blanc. Maryanne's Pastry Shoppe and Maison Blanc tied for first place and won four tickets to see Cake Off with a refreshment package (or drink tickets). The Lucky Cupcake did not go home empty handed; their prize was two tickets to see Cake Off. Everyone who attended happily devoured all of the cupcakes.
Broadway, television and film star Justin Guarini returns to Bucks County Playhouse when he joins Tony-nominee Euan Morton, Barrymore winner Michele Ragusa and 14-year-old newcomer Aidan J. Lawrence at Bucks County Playhouse for Cake Off, a new musical by Sheri Wilner, Julia Jordan and Adam Gwon. Cake Off, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, will preview on August 19, 2016 with opening night on Saturday, August 20. It will run through September 10, 2016.
Based on the original play Bake Off by Sheri Wilner, Cake Off features a book by Sheri Wilner and Julia Jordan and lyrics by Adam Gwon and Julia Jordan. Gwon has written the musical's score. Cake Off received its world premiere last year at Signature Theatre in New York.
The play follows the action at the 50th Annual Millberry Cake Off, where the stakes are higher than usual, as the prize for the best sugary delight has been raised to $1 million. For the first time, men are also allowed to enter and Paul, a starry-eyed, single Dad has risen to the top. He meets his match in Bake Off veteran, Rita, and soon they are thrust into the heat of competition. Forced to deal with the craziness, backroom politics and sugar high of America's most famous baking championship, these two feisty contestants don their aprons, strap on their oven mitts and square off. A brand new musical, Cake Off is a tuneful, tasty good time!
Joining the guests at the CupCake Off are the creators of Cake Off, book by Sheri Wilner (photographed on the right) and Julia Jordan (not photographed), lyrics by Jordan and Adam Gwon (photographed on the left) and music by Gwon. In the middle is Bucks County Playhouse Marketing Manager, Abby Langsted.
Abby Langsted, Bucks County Playhouse Marketing Manager (standing), brings cupcakes to be judged to the judges: (from left) Cast Members: Michele Ragusa, Euan Morton, Aidan J. Lawrence (14 years old) and Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alex Fraser.
The judges are busy discussing all of the entries between bites! From left to right are Cast Members Michele Ragusa, Euan Morton, Aidan J. Lawrence (14 years old) and Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alex Fraser.
Cupcakes entered in the competition by Maison Blanc. This cupcake tied for first place.
Cupcakes entered in the competition by Maryanne's Pastry Shoppe. The cupcake entry from this bakery tied for first place.
Cupcakes entered in the competition by The Lucky Cupcake.
The judges and competitors! Standing from left to right: Competitors Joanne Jarin, The Lucky Cupcake; Marjorie Monahan, Maison Blanc; Julia Lehman and Maura Houk, Maryanne's Pastry Shoppe; and host and cast member Justin Guarini. Seated from left to right: Judges: cast members Michele Ragusa, Euan Morton, Aidan J. Lawrence (14 years old) and Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alex Fraser.
Two bakeries tied for first place! Winner (left) Marjorie Monahan of Maison Blanc stands with Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alex Fraser while (right) winners Julia Lehman and Maura Houk of Maryanne's Pastry Shoppe with host and cast member Justin Guarini.
Videos