I CAN COOK, TOO! Cookbook Supporting theatreWashington's Emergency Fund Now Available

theatreWashington today announced the release of I Can Cook, Too! a cookbook that gathers more than 100 recipes from the Washington region's professional theatre artists, technicians, administrators, and leading patrons in support of Taking Care of Our Own, a fund that provides emergency assistance to theatre professionals in need. The full-color, high-quality publication offers recipes in every genre, from cocktails and appetizers to entrees and desserts-with the added spice of personal anecdotes shared by the artists.

I Can Cook, Too! makes its official debut at 7:30 pm tonight, November 18 at the Beacon Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island, NW, Washington DC) as part of theatreWashington's monthly Show Tunes & Cocktails event, featuring musical theatre star Donna Migliaccio and pianist Glenn Pearson. Books can also be purchased online or in person for $20.

President and Chief Executive Officer Linda Levy commented, "I think theatregoers are going to be surprised to hear how much food is actually involved in the process of making great theatre. We've got stage managers in this town who are famous around the country for the home cooking they bring into the green room during tech week. This book gives all of us a chance to indulge-and to support a very worthy cause at the same time."

Culinary highlights include a meatloaf recipe from the late great Helen Hayes, for whom the organization's annual awards are named. Other entries are as simple as actor Heather Haney's "Homemade Macaroni and Cheese," and as complicated as arts reporter and performer Robert Aubry Davis's "Distinctly Non-Vegetarian Guaranteed Natural Gas as an Alternative Fuel Source Chili." In addition to meeting the needs of theatre-loving foodies, the book is a treasure trove of production photos from recent plays and musicals in the Washington area-all of them catching performers imbibing food and drink onstage.

Leading members of the theatre community worked closely with theatreWashington staff to gather recipes, and to see the book through production. Levy explained, "People like stage manager Kerry Epstein and actress Sherri Edelen went the extra mile to make sure that we had a wide array of offerings from a wide array of theatre professionals. And we owe a huge thanks to Eric Schaeffer who has been such an enormous champion of Taking Care of Our Own, and of this book in particular."

theatreWashington is dedicated to representing and strengthening all segments of the Washington theatre community, from the area's 80-plus theatre companies to its individual artists, administrators-and audiences. The organization launched Taking Care of Our Own in 2012, with funds garnered through the volunteer efforts of theatre artists and the financial generosity of theatre patrons. Fundraising endeavors include the burlesque Summer Hummer, now an annual event; and the Bucket Brigade, in which performers solicit donations following select theatre performances. In 2013 alone, Taking Care of Our Own has received $78,500 in donations. The program began distributing its first emergency funds earlier this year.

Need more Washington, DC Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...