Feature: Kim's adventure to Food Truck Friday - Broadway Edition

Food is my favorite thing. Theater is my second favorite thing. Combine those together and I will magically appear. Thursday's FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando 2017 - 2018 season announcement was met with a lot of excitement. Unlike year's past, there was no formal event to announce the new season. (I pulled over on I-4 during rush hour traffic to read the press release.)

To accompany the Thursday announcement, the Dr. Phillips Center hosted a themed Food Truck Friday on the Seneff Arts Plaza. Food trucks (very loosely) inspired by the shows that make up the next FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season lined the far end of the plaza. It was a gorgeous Florida night with the building lit beautifully in the background. In addition to the food trucks, performers from School of the Arts entertained the crowd and Broadway Across America was present to sell/renew subscriptions.

The 4R Sweet Shop sold delicious desserts with a reference to WAITRESS, which will be coming March 20 - 25, 2018. I didn't know the famous BBQ restaurant 4 Rivers Smokehouse did sweets, but they do and they are not bad.

Chicken Waffle Grill was my choice for dinner. I have no idea what show this was referencing. Maybe LION KING? I can see Timon and Pumbaa eating the classic southern mash up. If you know, please comment below. I got a chicken waffle that was sweet, savory and spicy all at once. Slightly difficult to eat on the run, but definitely tasty.

El Cubanito Subs was also present with an obvious reference to ON YOUR FEET! coming October 17 - 22, 2017. My best friend got a delicious Cuban sandwich that was one of the biggest I've seen. I have such regret over my dinner choice because I love a good Cuban sandwich. I cannot wait to see this show. The music is going to be fabulous and I suspect the casting for this first national tour will be too.

Munchees Coney Island - Ok follow me on this one. I am ride or die anything PHANTOM. This food truck's appearance is in reference to LOVE NEVER DIES, The Phantom of the Opera sequel, which will be here November 21 - 26, 2017. The score to this show is gorgeous and the show takes place on Coney Island, hence the food truck. While the original London production flopped, it was totally reworked in Australia and now comes to the U.S. via national tour. This is one of those shows where I think, "Yes, you can absolutely make a sequel, but should you?" If you want to get really nerdy with me you can read the book The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth. The show is a fairly straight adaptation of the novel. While I have my disagreements about the plot, it's Phantom-based so I automatically like it. The North American tour of LOVE NEVER DIES is new (though you can buy the Australian version on DVD - I have it if anyone wants to borrow it. Just kidding. Don't touch my Phantom stuff), this means you can cast is new. I'll definitely be following this one closely and you'll know where to find me at the end of November.

Cafe Rouge Express featured fish and chips to die for. My other friend got a piece that was half of a fish minus the tail. Delicious, crispy - what's not to love? My guess is that this truck is liken to SOMETHING ROTTEN coming April 24 - 29, 2018 or THE KING AND I, which kicks off the season September 12 - 17, 2017, both have heavy British influences.

I will not give up my day job to be a culinary blogger. But if anyone from Broadway Across America needs assistance finding food trucks for the 2018 - 2019 season, you know where to find me.

The FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando 17/18 Season Line-Up:
Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I: September 12 - 17, 2017
On Your Feet!: October 17 - 22, 2017
Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns: November 21 - 26, 2017
The Book of Mormon: December 12 - 17, 2017*
School of Rock: December 26 - 31, 2017
Disney's The Lion King: February 14 - March 11, 2018*
Waitress: March 20 - 25, 2018
Something Rotten!: April 24 - 29, 2018
Rent: June 5 - 10, 2018
(*Indicates season ticket add-on)

Food Truck Friday occurs every Friday at the Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center. For tickets and more information about next season's shows visit DrPhillipsCenter.org.

Photo Credits:
Header - Dr. Phillips Center
Performance - Kimberly Moy
Food Truck - Kimberly Moy