It's almost 2021 and that means Betty Crocker turns 100. When I was working on my book, Finding Betty Crocker, I never once thought ahead to Betty turning 100 and what it all means that she has endured. But I'm sure thinking about it now.

This past year I've been a part of a collaboration for a musical about Betty Crocker with the History Theatre. The musical will be on stage in 2021 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

We are asking all sort of questions about Betty. Similar to my documentary film, The Betty Mystique where historian Dr. Elaine Tyler May said, "It's interesting to consider why did needed Betty Crocker for so long. Betty Crocker was a fictional character. She was an advertising icon. She was created by a company but sustained by millions of fans. And that's the interesting question to ask: Why? Why was Betty Crocker so important? Why did people resonate to her as if she was real? Why did people look to her for advice? Why did they need her?"

More questions lead to more questions.

Is Betty still relevant as she turns 100? Do we still need her? Is she representing us? Does she only represent white women? Does she only represent women? Is she misrepresenting us? Does she represent all of us if her portrait isn't used? And how important is it that she represent everyone? Who decided that corporation needs to represent us? Or is Betty more of a nostalgic figure? The questions of representation and relevance are endless. She's lasted 100 years so she is definitely worthy of these and even more questions. 

Here's a bit more about the musical:

Streaming Friday, December 4 - Thursday, December 10, 2020

To stream online, click here

 

 

book and lyrics by Cristina Luzarraga

music by Denise Prosek

Directed by Austene Van

Musical direction by Jason Hansen

Dramaturgy by Susan Marks

This new musical explores the ever-changing roles of women over the last century through the lens of Betty Crocker, America’s First Lady of Food.  “Born” in 1921 to the company that would become General Mills, Betty was a marketing invention––not a real person––but she came to represent far more than just flour. In 1945, Fortune Magazine named Betty Crocker the 2nd most popular woman in America. Originally depicted as white, blue-eyed, and middle-aged, Betty morphed over time as society grappled with questions of race and gender. At once a radio personality, a letter-writing confidante, a cheerleader and a scold, Betty taught a nation how to “add an egg" and much, much more.

• Buy ticket/s to stream, click here. Please consider buying a ticket for everyone viewing. We hope to cover our costs, pay our artists during this crisis and stay connected to YOU, our loyal audience.

To learn more about Betty Crocker

• I am Betty Crocker (tpt originals)
• Listen to holiday episode where Betty Crocker features sweet treats that the whole family will enjoy (Betty Crocker radio show, 1920s)
• How Betty Crocker Became a Good Neighbor (WCCO)
• The Invention of Betty Crocker (ampers.org)
• Recipe: Steak Diane
• How to serve a family of six for 69 cents
  

betty3 portraits through the years.jpg

 

The Cast

Michelle Barber - Ensemble

Aimee K. Bryant - Ensemble

Rajane Katarah - Ensemble

Kim Kivens - Ensemble

Ann Michels - Ensemble

Sara Ochs - Ensemble

Britta Ollman - Ensemble

Lara Trujillo - Ensemble

Regina Williams - Ensemble

 

Artistic Team

Austene Van - Director

Cristina Luzarraga - Playwright

Denise Prosek - Composer

Jason Hansen - Music Director

Susan Marks - Dramaturg

Ron Peluso - Artistic Director

Laurie Flanigan Hegge - Artistic Associate

Wayne Hendricks - Production/Stage Manager

Kathy Maxwell - Video Editor

The Betty Crocker Documentary Film by Susan Marks

2023 UPDATE! Be it touch if you want a link to my Betty Crocker documentary and I'm happy to send it your way. 

It's hard to believe that Betty Crocker is almost 100 years old! 

When I started writing a a book on Betty Crocker, I knew the book, Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food, could never do the justice to the rich audio and visual side of Betty. So I made my first documentary film, The Betty Mystique - that explores why the nation was buy what Betty Crocker was selling.

Vintage Betty Crocker Easter Gallery

It's the time of year again. Get your Easter baking on! I'll be adding more to this gallery as I find them. Any of these look familiar to you? Did you have a Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library? 

See some of my other posts for the vintage Easter lamb cakes. 

Easter Lamb Cake Gallery - Updated 2024!!!!

This time of year, I love looking at your lamby cake creations. Dang, you people are creative. Look at this gallery of gorgeous lamby cakes.

I also read this Mid Century Menu's blog post on Easter Lamby Cakes - it's exactly how my mom taught me to make lamby cakes. Plus, it's just a lovely blog to get lost in. I didn't realize how very Christian the lamb is. And I'm surprised that my very religious mother never mentioned this when she make the lamby cake. 

Did you know about the Potempa Lamb cake annual competition? 

On with the gallery...

Look! Vintage lamby shares the Easter spotlight. Which one would you eat first?

Nice frosting tip work. 

Trifecta of lamby cakes

The rare ridgeback lamby

                        Impressive hyperrealism that no one want to eat 

Doesn't even need the the ribbon and "Happy Easter" it's so well done.

Not cake. But I will still eat it.

It's in a pen!!! And it's smiling.

                                The frosting looks amazing

Delightful! Czech?

I think this is butter, not a cake - but still! 

Confection Dream. So delicate.

Smart bowtie! 

I think I'm in love - twice

Gasp! Gorgeous! 

Just look at the detail on this sweet thing!!

Not a lamby cake but it demands (and deserves) our attention.

Lovely old world charm and no-nonsense expression that reminds us not to count our chickens before they hatch.

Frosting skills on point

Not a lamb but don't you love it?

Vintage lamby spotted in the wild

This one looks a lot like my goldendoodle, if her ears were sticking straight out.

Love a chocolate lamb!!!

Profile lamby!

So realistic and sweet. I could never eat it though. Just look at that face!

Old school lamb cake mold. Wish I had one of the old ones.

Cute but also looks like pasta stuck all over it.

Simple and understated. (And I'm guessing delish)

Fudge. Brilliant. 

Ab Fab Pink Lamby.

I believe that's cannoli surrounding her. Just in case the cake is not sweet enough.

Even the ribbon is frosting! Easter Wishes indeed.

And of course, Charles Phoenix's meatloaf lamby! 

Break with tradition. I don't like it but I also like it.

This one really looks like my goldendoodle 

Thought this was a lamby cake for a sec. It is not.

The magic inside. If you know, you know. If you don't know, only accept lamby cake from the non-neck and face part.

Adorable. 

At first I thought it was wearing a hard hat. Now I see it's an Easter bonnet. 

Choices were made.

Slayed. 

Send your lamby cake my way and I'll add it to the gallery. Especially if it's a red velvet before and after the slaughter. Happy baking! 

Kitsch-tastic Easter

Honestly, I feel sorry for people who didn't grow up with lamby cakes and kitschy Easter traditions. But if you are one of those sad souls, take heart! It's not to late to have a Kitsch-tastic Easter, especially since we are all sheltering at home this Easter - let's get creative! I've taken the liberty of collecting some inspiration.

I love this so much it hurts