This all started on such a whim. I had begun to write my second play, another autobiographical solo show, this time regaling the hysterics and horrors of co-chairing the 3rd grade potluck at my son, Joshua’s, Westside Los Angeles private school. In the middle of the writing I also happened to be in a home baking frenzy that was bordering on the insane.

Then, my best friend, Penny, came out for an unexpected visit from Chicago. We went to Surfas and Sur La Table, baking and kitchen shops that we both loved, and laughed uncontrollably at the totally ridiculous idea of me in the kitchen at all let alone for hours at a time baking one delicious and decadent treat after another. While at Sur La Table I tried on some rubber gloves that were divine – elegant, classy and sexy if you can believe that! We began joking with the two young guys behind the cash registers about baking with the gloves on, wearing a cute little French maid-type apron and the piece de resistance, stilettos heels. I think these guys must have thought that we were certifiable. Egged on by their laughter we couldn’t let go of the idea.

It was Penny who came up with the new title for my play, SUGAR & STILETTOS. I added “an obsessive potluck tale” to the mix to keep the original premise intact. From there my imagination began to run wild.

Beyond the play I started to envision a website, a blog, t-shirts and tiaras for all the other baking goddesses out there, a book and then, me being the old sorority girl that I am, a baking club that would eventually do a Bake Sale Extravaganza benefiting local charities helping families struggling to feed their children. All these ideas felt so powerful and so perfect. I felt invigorated creatively and as a human being beyond measure. As I shared my ideas with others they miraculously felt the same way so I knew that I was on to something very, very special indeed.

Nanci Christopher, Creator/Founder
October 14, 2009

Other plays by Nanci Christopher:
"AND BABY MAKES TWO - an adoption tale"