Oh, What a Day and Night!
Sometime ago, Betty and Robert called to ask if we would like to get tickets with them for Jersey Boys. Yes, yes, yes! Then we decided to make reservations for an after “the theatre” supper/dinner at Screen Door. Life is good.
I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, and I was not disappointed.
First, there was the matinee of Jersey Boys at the Winspear Opera House.
Jersey Boys is the Tony Award winning musical of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It is the story of blue-collar boys who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey. Life in New Jersey was rough, real rough. They formed a band, and eventually their distinctive music made it big – American Bandstand, Ed Sullivan and eventually the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame BIG.
FYI: This musical is considered a Jukebox Musical because it uses songs by a group, and then a story is created around the songs. (Understand?? Just trying to educate you.) What it really means is: Jersey Boys is filled with familiar songs from Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame members, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Songs included were Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, My Eyes Adore You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Oh, What a Night – plus others. The disclaimers were real. As friend Nancy said, “the language will make your ears curl.” BUT the music will make your heart sing. The songs are still in my head.
Loved the set. I did take one picture before they told me I had to put my camera away.
How did they make the furniture and tables move to the center of the stage on their own? Inquiring minds want to know. We couldn’t see any tracks.
Sweet Mother of Pearl, it is hard for me to pick my favorite part of Jersey Boys. Since I am so undecided, I’ll mention several things. I LOVED the end of Act 1 when they sang with their backs to the audience. We felt like we were watching them perform from back stage. Pure genius! Nancy warned us that the introduction to Sherry, their first major hit, was wonderful. We knew it was coming – there was the beat, and they stretched it out until I was begging in my heart for the song to begin. When Sherry finally started, I wanted to jump for joy. I must mention that the unbelievable harmonies of the group gave me goosebumps, and the person who played Frankie Valli had a voice that was beyond amazing. I read that he had a range of five octaves. Yes, you read that correctly – five octaves! I am not a critic, but let me tell you. I was blown away by his performance.
Jersey Boys will be in Dallas through July 15. My recommendation: Do go if you get a chance!
After “the theatre”, we had supper/dinner at Screen Door. It is about a long block up the street from the Winspear. Other friend Nancy, introduced me to this gem that serves upscale southern cooking. I like it, I love it, I want more of it!
Just know that I had waited all day for this feast. By 5 o’clock, my half-breakfast had worn off, and I was ready for some better than your mamma’s cooking. First we shared appetizers of fried green tomatoes, and fried okra.
Do order the fried green tomatoes. I promise you will not be sorry. (Yes, I forgot to take the picture before we started eating. What can I say. We were hungry.)
This was our first time to order the fried okra. The okra is split down the middle long-ways. (Isn’t that jar filled with fried okra cute. We could do that.) The okra was also delicious, but be warned. The red sauce with the okra is not tomato based, but rather filled with peppers. It is HOT.
This was my third visit to Screen Door. The first two times, I ordered shrimp and grits because I love shrimp and grits, and their shrimp and grits is just so dang good. But, on my second visit, someone gave me a taste of their Fried Chicken, and I hadn’t forgotten that bite of wonderfulness. (No, I do not usually eat this much fried food, but…)
Let me state up front that this is the best Fried Chicken I have ever had the privilege of putting in my mouth. First of all, you won’t believe how they cut the chicken. The boneless chicken breast is attached to the baby drumstick part of the wing. Cleaver! The chicken is seasoned perfectly – no strong spices. What you get is wonderful, tender, moist chicken with a delicious flavor. Never in my life have I tasted chicken so delicious. (I’ve already said that haven’t I? – Oh, well! It is worth saying twice.) The chicken is served with baked macaroni and cheese (Be still my heart!), and collard greens. Collard greens are not one of my favorite foods. Ever since I was a child, I have rejected collard greens, so I substituted asparagus. Oh my!! Look at those skinny-mini asparagus stalks. I can not find those skinny-mini asparagus stalks at Kroger. I think restaurants buy all of them so common folk like us have to buy the jumbo pencil stalks. Rest assured, the skinny-mini asparagus stalks were fresh and tender. No sauces, just good taste. Made with three or more types of cheese, the mac’ and cheese is a bowl of creamy deliciousness. (Note to self: Sometime when I don’t want an entire meal, order fried green tomatoes and baked macaroni and cheese. Oh, yah!)
Ever-Lovin’ ordered the shrimp and grits. He was one happy camper. It is GOOD! Or maybe I should say dang good!
Let it be known that we boxed up half of our suppers to save room for dessert. Ever-Lovin’ and I split the lemon ice box pie.
Again, they served the lemon ice box pie in a cute little canning jar. Easy-breezy! (We can do this.) They put toasted graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of the jar. Next they added lemon ice box pie filling. (I’m sure you have the recipe. You know, it is the one made with sweetened condensed milk.) Then they sprinkled in a few blueberries, and spooned in more lemon pie filling. To finish it off, they added a few more cracker crumbs and topped it with a swirl of torched meringue. YUM! Since I don’t have a torch, I am thinking whipped cream would work for a topping.
Can you believe? We saw Jersey Boys, had supper/dinner at Screen Door, and enjoyed a wonderful time with dear friends.
Oh, What a day and night!
I am blessed,
Blessings to you and yours,