What’s your favorite go-to cafe order?
First up Neal, the talented composer and writer of French Cupcakes likes a simple baguette. “It always reminds me of the summer I spent after college busking on the streets of Paris. I’d make enough money playing and singing to buy a baguette and bottle of wine, which I would consume with friends by the Eiffel Tower.”
Michael, our director, says his favorite café beverage is a pumpkin spice latte, and his favorite pastry is a warm apple turnover. “I love them because they both have those cozy fall flavors—cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple—that instantly make me feel like the season has arrived.” While John says his favorite pastry is a chocolate croissant and his favorite beverage is a vanilla latte.
Say hello to Paul, our musical director, who doesn’t really go to cafes. He doesn’t like coffee all that much. He explains, “When I did get coffee from a cafe, I’d get triple or quadruple espressos. Then I got old. If I did that now, I’d feel like I was dying. The best cafe pastry I ever had was a croissant in New York City. I loved it almost as much as musical theater.” Kevin, ensemble/customer, declares his favorite café beverage is a black medium roast coffee. When not on Weightwatchers, his favorite pastry is a ham & cheese croissant.
Leah, our amazing stage manager’s favorite/go to cafe beverage is an iced caramel macchiato. “I love to give it a vigorous shake/stir and watch the colors change while mixing in all the flavors.” She likes to pair it with a pain au chocolate (chocolate croissant). “When done right, you get a sweet chocolate surprise with every bite.” Maria, Barista 3, even has a favorite place to get her favorites. “My favorite treat is a sweet and flaky apple Chausson with café au lait from Boulangerie Christophe (Georgetown).”
Cathy, who plays Dana, the Big Bean Rep, loves a Pink Drink. She knows it isn’t a normal café drink, but not being a coffee or tea drinker, it is her go-to! Pastries are another story; she loves a warm, buttery croissant. Maureen, Barista One, says, “My fave “go-to” at a coffee shop is black coffee and a cake pop – cuz sometimes I’m 68 and sometimes I’m 8. And sometimes two things can be true, haha!”
Steven, ensemble/customer, will take a double decaf espresso, shaken, not stirred, along with a Chocolate babka with a side of ruggelach and a cheese Danish. Make that two; they’re small. Elizabeth, ensemble/customer, loves to sit in a quiet coffee shop and read a book, with a café latte and a scone, ideally cinnamon! Jack, ensemble/customer’s favorite cafe beverage is decaf coffee with cream and sugar, and plenty of it with a croissant au chocolat (Heaven!). “Occasionally, I’ll have a cappuccino after a meal. As to coffee, it’s not about the caffeinated charge, it’s about the flavor and aroma, so soothing, comforting.”
Catherine, Barista Two, changes her favorites based on the season. “During the summer, I love a vanilla & lavender iced latte. At first I thought lavender syrup sounded bizarre, but when it’s done right and not overpowering, it’s refreshing. When it starts to get cold, I am obsessed with peppermint mochas with oat milk. I think my family had an intervention last year with how many times I was making them. It’s also one of the only things I enjoy cocoa in. Weirdly, I’m not a huge chocolate fan. As far as a pastry goes, I’ll never turn down a cheese Danish. It’s not overly sweet and I’ll eat anything with the word ‘cheese’ in the description.” Stephanie, ensemble/customer’s favorite café beverage is anything decaf with a hazelnut swirl. It seems hazelnut is her favorite flavor!
The favorite cafe order of Camilla, who plays Tina, is a latte paired with an almond croissant, “as it reminds me of my time growing up in Paris.” Charlie, ensemble/customer, has, by her own admission, a huge, sweet tooth, so she always goes for a cafe mocha, and a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant!)
Introducing Brett, who plays Bridget. She says her favorite cafe drink might seem boring, but it’s a classic—she loves an iced latte! “For a real treat, I’ll add a warm, slightly gooey chocolate croissant, or a pain au chocolat, as les francais would say.” Our choreographer, Catherine, prefers a cafe latte + biscotti. “It reminds me of a trip to Tuscany and embracing the Italian coffee culture of sitting and enjoying the coffee instead of taking it to-go.”
Aref, who plays Pierre, our French chef, prefers a short, sugar-free almond, whole milk, no water chai tea latte with a feta and spinach croissant. “I like chai tea latte more than chai masala because I like sweet but not too sweet. The croissant with feta and spinach makes me feel quasi-healthy. And I have the answer when they say they do not have whole milk. “No problem: half two-percent and half half-and-half.”
Arthur, ensemble/customer, preferred to write a poem about it.
When I go to the FAA cafe,
I hope they have something to make my day.
Coffee or tea, a warm embrace,
A moment of peace in this bustling place.
Perhaps a pastry, sweet and light,
To pair with my drink, a morning delight.
A smile from the barista, a friendly face,
In the FAA cafe, my worries erase.
With every sip, my spirits lift,
A simple joy, a calming gift.
In this little corner, I find my way,
At the FAA cafe, I savor the day.