Smashing Philanthropy

Dallas Theater Center lures wicked hot Smash star to headline 2015 gala

Dallas Theater Center has announced its headliners for Centerstage 2015, and anyone who misses Smash is sure to want a seat. Blonde bombshell Megan Hilty, who played Ivy Lynn on the NBC musical drama, will share the spotlight with performer Seth Rudetsky for the May 9 fundraising gala at Wyly Theatre.

In addition to her work on Smash, Hilty earned acclaim as Glinda in Wicked and as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical. Recently she starred alongside Sean Hayes in NBC’s 2014 comedy Sean Saves the World. On June 8 she will appear in a one-night-only concert of Smash’s original musical Bombshell in New York for the Actors Fund.

Rudetsky, the afternoon host on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s On Broadway as well as the host of Seth Speaks on Sirius/XM Stars, has played piano for more than a dozen Broadway shows, including Ragtime, Les Miz and Phantom. He was the artistic producer/music director for the first five annual Actors Fund fall concerts, including Dreamgirls with Audra McDonald and Hair with Jennifer Hudson.

In addition to talent, these two have a sense of humor.

“I’m so excited to play Dallas,” Hilty said in a release. “The last time I was there, I was 12 and bought cowboy boots and a bunch of fake hair. I’m running low on both of those things, so I can’t wait to go back! Oh yeah — it’ll be fun to sing too!”

“Megan Hilty is a rare combination of beautiful and funny and an amazing singer,” Rudetsky added. “Even though I’m jealous of her, I can’t wait to perform our show in Dallas. I’ve done Dallas shows before and that town loves theater!”

Centerstage 2015 supports DTC’s innovative artistic programming as well as its award-winning education programs like Project Discovery. The gala begins with cocktails at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and a special performance from Hilty and Rudetsky. DJ Lucy Wrubel is spinning at the after party, naturally.

Individual tickets are $1,000; underwriting levels start at $2,500. For more information, email Robin.Rose@DallasTheaterCenter.org or call 214-252-3915.

Chicken News

New concept crossing hot chicken and wing joint pops up in Plano

Sammy's Famous fried chicken

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It's famous, it's fried, it's chicken, it's Sammy's.

In the Russian dolls version of fried chicken restaurants, there's a new fried chicken concept that's popping-up inside another fried chicken concept: Called Sammy's Famous Chicken, it's opening inside Hot Chicks Chicken, the Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant at 1885 Dallas Pkwy. in Plano.

It'll open on June 9 with a menu of tenders, sliders, wings, and rice bowls. Its point of distinction, the thing that makes it a standout in the hot-fried-chicken realm, is that it has 25 flavor options and 10 dipping sauces, similar to a wing joint.

This differentiates it from most Nashville-style hot chicken places, including its host Hot Chicks, that generally feature four heat levels. So it's like a combination of a hot chicken concept and a wing joint.

Founder Sam Sameni says that the menu takes its inspiration from global flavors: Mexican elote, Indian tikkia masala, Israeli shawarma, Chinese orange chicken, and Japanese wasabi.

They also do classics like original Buffalo, lemon pepper, and hot honey. And they'll rotate in limited-time flavors such as Italian pizza and Argentinian chimichurri.

Dipping sauces are unique with options such as Dr Pepper BBQ and Buffalo Ranch.

Sameni is a chicken fanatic who's been developing these flavors and sauces since 1997. The partnership with Hot Chicks Chicken Plano provides an opportunity for him to expand Sammy's Famous Chicken to a wider audience.

And here's a treat: On opening day, anyone who gives the cashier a high-five gets six free wings.

"We are excited to bring Sammy's Famous Chicken to Plano and offer our unique chicken creations to the local community," Sameni says.

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