Broadway Book Chat: Maggie Malaney

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Maggie Malaney

instagram: @magmalaney

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What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

What is your favorite book series?

I am embarrassed to say I haven’t read any book series since I was a kid. So I suppose Harry Potter or Hunger Games!  

Who is your favorite author?  What makes them special to you?

Before quarantine I didn’t take the time to read and cultivate my literary interests. I would read only about 3-5 books a year. Since the initial stay at home order in March I have read 30 books! I haven’t made any serious relationships with authors yet, but I have found a deep crush for Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her book Daisy Jones and the Six is so unique and so much fun! I’ve read Maybe in Another Life and have on my TBR list The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I love how different all her books are! 

What book inspires you and why?

I don’t think I have one specific book I am inspired by. I am really drawn to women’s stories written by women authors. I recently read A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum and truly is one of the best books I’ve read, I highly recommend. 

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I’m adventurous forsure! I was on a thriller kick for a while, but I’ll try any genre really. 

Which literary character would you like to play?

I mean I know it’s already said and done, but I always wanted to be Katniss. 

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I played Whatshername in American Idiot in college and boy would I love to have her drive and thrill for life (minus the heavy drugs obvi)

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I think it is in the works to be made into a movie but Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 

What is the next book on your reading list?

Up next I have Girl A by Abigail Dean!

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

haha No, I do not have the skills to be a writer, but sometimes I’ll write random thoughts/ poems in my notes tab in my phone, but I would never show anyone those. 

What show are you currently in/what was the last show you were in and who did you play?

Before the lockdown I was one week into rehearsal of Kiss me Kate at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago! Praying we can all get back to doing what we love soon!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

I would have to say the show we did together! – “Guys and Dolls” at the Fulton. It was the year after I graduated college and the first time I was like “oh I am really doing this, this is my life”; I remember looking around and watching everyone perform and just being so excited I was in the room with such talented performers doing what I loved and trained my whole life to do. 

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Thank you to my wonderful friend, Maggie, for sharing with us! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews!

January 2021 Wrap-Up

And just like that, the first month of 2021 is over! I have been super busy this January between teaching dance, studying for my real estate license, and nannying, but I still managed to read a bunch of great books. There are a few really exciting releases coming out in February and I’m gearing up for another full month! Let’s do this!

Books Read

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik ★★★★

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn ★★★★

A Curse of Ash and Embers by Jo Spurrier ★★★★

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout ★★★★★ *BOOK HANGOVER*

Love Spells and Other Disasters by Angie Barrett ★★★

Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout ★★★★★

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Favorite Book of the Month

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Currently Reading

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Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 6 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 10 of 50

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Broadway Book Chat: Dan Hoy

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January Reviews

• You Have a Match by Emma Lord • A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik • A Curse of Ash and Embers by Jo Spurrier • Love Spells and Other Disasters by Angie Barrett •

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January Posts

• Top 10 Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021 • Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #31 • Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish (and a few Non-Bookish) Resolutions for 2021 • The Folklore Book Tag • Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2020 • Top 10 Tuesday: New to Me Authors I Discovered in 2020 • 

Broadway Book Chat: Dan Hoy

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Dan Hoy

From The First National Tour of Cats the Musical

Instagram: @dan_jhoy

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What are you currently reading?

Eros the Bittersweet by Anne Carson

What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter. Basic, I know, but that series transported me to a new world when I was growing up. I remember reading the entirety of the 7^th book within 24 hours of buying it because I was so excited to read the conclusion of the saga!

Who is your favorite author?  What makes them special to you?

I honestly don’t think I have a favorite author. My taste in books varies so drastically that I find myself engrossed with whenever I have a good story in my hands.

What book inspires you and why?

There are a few. I love non-fiction books such as Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming, Boy Erased by Garrard Conley, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells, and Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. It’s incredible to read true stories in which people stand up against the odds and succeed.

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I like to think I’m pretty adventurous. In the last year, I’ve read everything from Fun Home to Clockwork Orange to milk and honey to Homo Deus. I enjoy changing up the genres as much as possible!

Which literary character would you like to play?

I have always wanted to play a superhero. I grew up with comics, and I still read them to this day. Someone like a Red Hood or Nightwing from the Batman series would be an incredible opportunity. I know they’ve already brought them to television via the Titans series, but there are always reboots and new films, right?

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I feel like I usually play tragic roles or douchebags, so this is actually a difficult question! Haha! I feel like Munk (CATS) and I would be friends. He’s a driven character, and I’ve got a lot of respect for that. Maybe also Jason from bare. He’s got a lot of self-loathing, but he’s got a big heart and genuinely tries his best.  Unfortunately, *SPOILER* he kills himself at the end of the show, so I’m not sure what that relationship would end up looking like. I also feel like pre-success Jaime from The Last Five Years and I would be friends. At the beginning of the show, it feels like he really cares about his work and his relationships, but, by the end, he only cares about his image and his vices.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

So many of the books that came to my mind have already been adapted! Haha! A strange thought, but I’d love to see a poetic text such as milk and honey be adapted into a screenplay. It’d be interesting to see how a screenwriter could implement the poetry into a narrative.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Yes, actually! In fact, I’ve written a few plays and screenplays, though I’d love to write a book down the line.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Hillbilly Elegy — I just watched the film with Glenn Close and Amy Adams, and the story is remarkable, so I now feel like I need to read the book. I was surprised to see that the film didn’t do so well with critics. I was very moved by the performances and I felt the direction and writing were both outstanding.

What was the last show you were in and who did you play?

The last show I was in was the national tour of CATS as Munkustrap. I was supposed to be joining the company of a new show in NYC, but, then, COVID happened, so everything is, unfortunately, on hold at the moment.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

I could list at least five or six right now. However, if I had to pick one at this moment, it’d be a production of The Seagull I did in college where I played Trigorin. We set up in a house with each act being performed in a different room to an audience of only 5 people. It was a really awesome experience, and it was one of the most creatively fulfilling productions I’ve ever been a part of.

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Thank you to my wonderful friend, and dungeon master extraordinaire, Dan, for sharing with us! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews!

Broadway Book Chat: Joey Ortolani

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Joey Ortolani

From The First National Tour of Bullets Over Broadway

Instagram: @joeyorto

What are you currently reading?

Currently, I’m reading The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. When C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, he wrote six stories starting with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The seventh story, The Magician’s Nephew, was a prequel. I LOOOOVE origin stories in worlds I already love, such as Narnia.

What is your favorite book series?

Other than Harry Potter, I would say it would have to be the A Darker Shade of Magic series by V.E. Schwab. I say “other than Harry Potter” because anyone who knows me, knows what a staple in my life those stories are, so it kinda goes without saying. A Darker Shade of Magic and it’s two sequels mash up so many different kinds of magic. It’s Narnia, meeting The Last Airbender, meeting Harry Potter, meeting Game of Thrones. It’s fantastic.

Who is your favorite author? What makes them special to you?

I would say my favorite author is C.S. Lewis. When I was in high school (a Christian high school no less) I took an elective class my senior year studying his work. It was the first time I’d spent reading different works by the same author outside of a series. The Chronicles of Narnia are supposed to be allegories for biblical stories and I always felt like his writing style did the job so expertly and subtly, while still teaching the principle. His book, The Great Divorce, is very high on my recommendation list and had a very profound impact on me at that time in my life.

What book inspires you and why?

One book that changed me was The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky. The book deals with many difficult topics that hit close to home for me. It was a piece of literature that showed me that being different from “normal” people was ok and something to be celebrated.

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I typically live in the Fantasy genre, but sometimes branch off into historical books. Bill O’Reilly wrote a series of books called Killing.. dealing with the historical context surrounding the death of prominent figures in history. I found Killing Jesus and Killing Lincoln extremely fascinating.

Which literary character would you like to play?

I would truly love to play Harry Potter. When I was in sixth grade and read The Sorcerer’s Stone, I was captured in the second chapter because Harry Potter’s physical description was my exact physical description at the time. To paraphrase “almost 11 years old and a skinny knobby kneed boy with messy black hair and green eyes.” That was exactly me. While Harry Potter being portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe is shorter, and subsequently portrayed in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as “no taller than 5’ 8” in the most recent casting notices (yes I checked) in the books he’s described as above average in height as well. That’s me!

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I’m an ensemble boy, so the few times I’ve played a role, it’s actually more of a villain role, or a bad boy, so I can’t really pick. If we’re talking ensemble scenes, I’d have to pick the “character” I was playing when I put on a GIANT hotdog costume in Bullets Over Broadway. That guy was jubilant and thrilled to be wearing a giant Hot Dog and just sounds like a stand up fella.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

Definitely A Darker Shade of Magic made into a movie or a Game of Thrones-style series on HBO. It would be EPIC.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Next on my list is. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins which is the prequel novel to The Hunger Games.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Not really. I’ve played with fan fiction when I’m REALLY bored, and I honestly think I know the Harry Potter material and world well enough to write really great content if that sort of job ever existed.

What was the last show/project you worked on?

Last project I worked on was a big production number for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO. I was dancer (standing right next to John for the whole final sequence) and also worked on the preproduction for the month leading up to the project. The number was called E.S.B. (East Shit Bob), and was actually nominated for 2 Emmy’s for editing and Best Original Song!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

My favorite show i’ve ever been part of was the Broadway First National Tour of Bullets Over Broadway. The list of reasons is LONG. The biggest reason would be that at the time I was cast, Bullets… was my absolutely favorite musical I had ever seen on stage. I could write a doctoral dissertation on why I think the show was grossly under appreciated during its broadway run, and why I think it’s so amazing. It was the definition of a dream come true to be cast in your favorite show in it’s original broadway form, hand picked by and working with Tony winner Susan Stroman and her right hand men, Jeff Whiting and James Gray, and getting paid for it all. That’s THE dream. Playing some of the most incredible venues in the USA, with some of the most talented people I have ever met, who would also become the closest friends I have to this very day, all while doing a show that brought me immeasurable joy every single time I stepped on stage. And it’s been the gift that keeps on giving. The tour ran 2015-2016. In 2017, we remounted the show at Ogunquit playhouse with Vinny Pastore for the original broadway company, and Sally Struthers, who I idolize and was star struck by for 8 weeks straight. My experience in the tour of Bullets.. brought immeasurable joy, love, family, and experience into my life. Nothing will ever be like it.

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Thank you to my dear, dear friend, Joey, for sharing with us! I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! ❤

July 2020 Wrap-Up

Boy, have I been escaping into books. I have been wanting to get out of my own head and have really been living in fictional worlds. I’ve gotten a lot of good reading done, as well as some good research and exploration. I’m still in Wisconsin with my family, for which I am eternally grateful, and am hoping I’ll be able to get back to NYC sometime in the near future.

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Books Read

On Wings and Ash by Jo Holloway ★★★★

Now & When by Sara Bennett Wealer ★★★★

War of the Twin Swords by Julia Goldhirsch ★★

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★

The F List by Alessandra Torre ★★★

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare ★★★★

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Favorite Book of the Month

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Currently Reading

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Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 46 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 10 of 50

Beat the Backlist: 27 of 50

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Broadway Book Chat: Allison Hunt from Untitled Millennial Project

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July Reviews

• The F List by Alessandra Torre• War of the Twin Swords by Julia Godhirsh • Now & When by Sara Bennett Wealer • On Wings and Ash by Jo Holloway • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen• 

July Posts

• The Summer Vibes Book Tag • Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #25 • Top 10 Tuesday: Books That Make Me Feel Giddy • Top 10 Tuesday: Authors I Have Read the Most Books By •

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Broadway Book Chat: Allison Hunt from Untitled Millennial Project

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Allison Hunt

Creator and star of Untitled Millennial Project

Instagram: @ahunt4cookies

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What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Beach Read by Emily Henry. It’s a super cute summer rom-com.

What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter…duhhhhh. I have read it in full too many times to count. I recently listened to the whole series on audiobook. It was really cool to discover the story in a new way.

Who is your favorite author? What makes them special to you?

I love anything Mindy Kaling does: from her writing on The Office to her autobiographies, to her creating her own series with The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever, I think she is just so hilarious and relatable. I love that in her work her voice is so clear. It is just like one of your best friends is talking to you. That is a quality that I aspire to bring to my writing.

What book inspires you and why?

Last summer, I did The Artist Way by Julia Cameron and I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling “stuck.” For lack of a better way to describe it, The Artist Way is a 12-week self-guided course to help discover/rediscover your own creative path forward and through. I was at a point in my life where I thought something had to give, and this book definitely helped me to get through that.

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I read a bunch of different genres BUT I am a dystopian-romance-fantasy STAN.

Which literary character would you like to play?

For some reason, even as a little girl, I remember always wanting to play Joan of Arc. Although I don’t describe myself as religious, I love her strength, hope and determination. Also WE LOVE the fact that she is a BAD A** BOSS LADY leading an army into battle.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I have been in a musical twice called I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change where I play a bunch of women in various stages of a relationship; all the way from awkward first dates to sad divorces. I would totally grab drinks with any of them, I mean, we all probably need one…or two…or five ;).

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I am dying to see The Red Queen series or The Throne of Glass series made into a movie or TV show.

What is the next book on your reading list?

I am going to start White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. It is so important that we educate ourselves so that we can be better allies. #blacklivesmatter

What are you working on right now?

I wrote a comedy series with a friend! It’s called Untitled Millennial Project and tbh, it’s really funny (…at least that’s what our moms keep telling us). It’s as if Broad City, PEN15, and RHONY had a baby. We just had a big event to launch the project and to start fundraising for the show right before all the shut downs hit. Unfortunately, like everything else, fundraising/production has been put on hold but there have definitely been tons to do behind the scenes. I can’t wait for everyone to see it :).

Where did the idea for the Untitled Millennial Project come from? What was the writing process like?

My friend Tyler and I met where all out-of-work-actors go, Lululemon . We were always cracking ourselves up on our shifts together so we decided to write something because literally why not. Our dynamic in itself is so funny (not so #humblebrag) so we thought we’d “write what we know.” We decided to write about ourselves in super relatable and millennial (…I mean it’s in the title of the show peeps) situations. Almost every episode is based on something that happened to us in real life.

The writing process was honestly so fun. You know when you’re kind of arguing with someone but in a funny banter-y way where you’re both laughing and neither of you are actually mad at each other? That’s basically our process. We jotted down a bunch of episode ideas and then would pick whichever one was speaking to us that day. We would create a very basic arc of the plot to make sure we covered all our bases and then start writing to get everything down. After, we start editing and revising the scripts. We literally are always editing.

What is your favorite project you’ve been a part of and why?

Untitled Millennial Project is definitely my favorite. I have loved building the project from nothing to what it is today. It is only going to keep getting bigger and better and I can not wait 🙂

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Follow @untitledmillennialproject on instagram and facebook!

Donations to help support Untitled Millennial Project (#Savethearts) can be made through PayPal to: untitledmillennialproject@gmail.

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Huge shout out and long distance hug to my main girl Allison for sharing with us. I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! ❤

Broadway Book Chat: Mandy Striph

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Mandy Striph

Most recently seen as Tanya in Mamma Mia! at Actors Playhouse in Miami!

Instagram: @mstriph

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What are you currently reading?

I’m almost finished with The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, the author of The Poisonwood Bible. I love the way she constructs narratives.

What is your favorite book series and why?

The easy answer is Harry Potter. That series was fundamental and I grew up right in the heyday. But in terms of longevity, Sherlock Holmes. I’ve fallen back in love with those stories over and over and over. It is definitely the catalyst for my love of crime stories.

Who is your favorite author? What makes them special to you?

Alexander Dumas. The Count of Monte Cristo really hit home when I was a teen. So much angst, a sense of righteousness, a desperate yearning for love amid betrayal against a romantic adventure background? How could I not be enraptured?

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I’m pretty open. I usually gravitate toward fiction, especially American or BritLit. Lately, memoirs have been a bigger part of my reading lists.

What book inspires you and why?

As a person? Becoming. Michelle Obama’s story and journey are so accessible in her memoir. She makes me want to be a stronger person. Creatively? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The imagery and inherent magic of this story is so intense. I wanted the circus to be a reality for me. The whimsical storyline made me want to write and create.

Which literary character would you like to play?

Irene Adler, romantic frenemy of Sherlock Holmes. It’s rare for women of that era to be portrayed as clever without solely relying on feminine wiles. She’s a fictional feminist icon.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

Tanya from Mamma Mia. She is exactly who she wants to be and has everything she wants. Laid back, fun, wealthy? She’d throw a helluva party. And you KNOW there would be all kinds of interesting and/or sexy people at her soirée.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

The Night Circus. The magic and romance would be enhanced through music. Adam Guettel would create a beautiful score.

What is the next book on your reading list?

The Wind-up Bird by Haruki Murakami.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have. Mostly comedic romantic (or maybe even erotic) fiction. Something that would be pure, entertaining escapism.

What show are you currently working on and who do you play?

Right before coronavirus caused a full stop for the arts, I was Tanya in Mamma Mia at Actors Playhouse in Miami. I had a blast.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Also hard to say. The national tour of Beauty and the Beast was my first job out of college and so foundational. I made life long friends on that tour. That said, I’ve done multiple productions of Mamma Mia as Tanya and that show (and character) has a very special place in my heart.

I’ve been loving your posts during quarantine about books and their perfect cocktail match. How do you decide what goes best and which is your favorite combination so far?

Pairing cocktails and books seems like a natural marriage. Who doesn’t love a beverage while they cozy up to a book. I choose my pairings on a variety of factors. If the main characters are drinkers I’ll do a crash course on their favorite beverages. If the book is set somewhere specific, I may highlight cocktails that feature native spirits. Sometimes it’s about theme or feel. Clean cocktails for delicate storylines or cocktails created by badass female mixologists to compliment female authors.

Follow Mandy’s book and cocktail pairings on her Instagram @mstriph

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! A huge thanks to the amazing Mandy for sharing with us. ❤

Broadway Book Chat: Ahren Victory from Cats

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Ahren Victory

Most recently seen as Silibub in the National Tour of Cats

Insta: @ahren.victory

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza

What is your favorite book series?

My all-time favorite series would have to be Harry Potter!

Who is your favorite author?

I ADORE Agatha Christie.

What book inspires you and why?

I think one of the most inspiring books I’ve read is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It’s a super simple read but it has incredible nuggets of wisdom for anyone interested in artistic pursuits, or even those who aren’t strictly artists.

Which literary character would you like to play?

A little bit of an older character, , I’d love to play Miss Marple. She’s so clever and is always leaps and bounds ahead of detectives and professionals in the Agatha Christie mysteries.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I would for sure be friends with Sillabub. I LOVE animals and of course cats. She’s such a sweet little kitten, I’d love to be her human friend.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I’d like to see more mythologies from different cultures brought to screen! I love learning about different traditions/myths/legends from different times.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Next on my list is The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have! I really enjoy writing short/mini stories and even some longer fiction bits.

What show are you working on now?

Currently, I’m following my bliss in NYC after playing Sullabub in the National Broadway Tour of CATS!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

With all honesty, I have to say CATS. I adored being a part of that iconic show, being able to perform it 8 times a week and see the audience reactions was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  I will carry that in my heart forever.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to my girl, Ahren, for sharing with us this month!

January 2020 Wrap-Up

I can’t believe this month went by so quickly! Audition season is already in full swing here in NYC, and we have hit the ground running.  It was a great reading month for me as well, and I discovered that I actually enjoy audiobooks!  I fought them for so long, but it was a pleasant surprise to find that I liked listening to them and it has made such a great addition to my reading schedule.  Here is to another great month full of opportunity and positivity!

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Books Read:

The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander ★★★★★

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★★

The Night Country by Melissa Albert ★★★

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord ★★★★★

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte ★★★★

The Beholder by Anna Bright ★★★

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West ★★★★

Shadow Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★

Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin ★★★

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Favorite Book of the Month

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Currently Reading

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Broadway Book Chat: Chelsea Cree Groen from Hello Dolly!

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Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 9 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 8 of 50

Beat the Backlist 2020: 5 of 50

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January Reviews

• Echoes Between Us by Katie McGarry • The Night Country by Melissa Albert • Tweet Cute by Emma Lord • The Beholder by Anna Bright •

January Posts

• Getting My Shit Together: Bookish Goals for 2020 • Top 10 Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Additions To My Bookshelves • Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #19 • Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Bookstores I Discovered On Tour in 2019 • Let’s Do This: Beat The Back List Challenge 2020 • Top 10 Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Additions To My Bookshelves • Disney Sidekick Book Tag •

Broadway Book Chat: Chelsea Cree Groen from Hello Dolly!

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Chelsea Cree Groen

Currently starring as Minnie Fay in the US National Tour of Hello Dolly!

 @chelseacree_

What are you currently reading?

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman! A fun and juicy read that was one of Reese’s Book Club picks!

What is your favorite book series?

This is embarrassing, but honestly, I was so obsessed with the Fifty Shades books when they came out! 

Who is your favorite author?

Oh man, this is tough. My favorite book ever is The Art of Racing in the Rain, so I’ll say Garth Stein because of that.

What book inspires you and why?

Educated by Tara Westover!! I read it a few months ago and am just BLOWN away by Tara Westover’s story and how she turned her life around after such an insane upbringing and now has a PHD!!?! Unreal. 

Which literary character would you like to play?

Amy March from Little Women!!! Although after seeing Florence Pugh in the new movie, that would be a TOUGH act to follow!!!

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Minnie’s friend! She is goofy, loyal, and full of joy- I love stepping into her shoes each night and think we would totally be besties IRL.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Kaswal needs to be turned into a movie!!! If you haven’t read it you must. SUCH a great book, and I think it would be a huge hit as a movie. A book I would love to see as a musical that’s already a movie is The Princess Diaries!!! How has this not happened yet??

What is the next book on your reading list?

THREE WOMEN by Lisa Taddeo. Cannot wait.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have not. I don’t have enough patience lol

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Honestly, HELLO DOLLY!! It’s truly one of the best musicals ever written, in my opinion, and just radiates joy and love. It is such a pleasure to come to work every night to spread that joy across the country.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to the lovely Chelsea for sharing with us this month!