Just Desserts: A Musical Bake-Off

Lauren Nicole Sherwood, Tori Jade Lopez, Klea Blackhurst, JP Sarro and Gina Lamparella in a scene from the new musical “Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off” at AMT Theater (Photo credit: Donald Kennedy)

Just Desserts is an entertaining satire on competitions, “a musical bake-off.” With witty songs and colorful characters this show with book and lyrics by Barbara Campbell and music by Brad Ross features a high-powered cast led by cabaret and musical theater veteran Klea Blackhurst. While the audience doesn’t get to try any desserts until after the show, the three baking competitions could make your mouth water. This small musical with six actors has been seen around the country and is now offering its wares at Off Broadway’s AMT Theater.

The Fifth Annual Jefferson County Bake-Off sponsored by Great Eggspectations Chicken Farm and the Sunshine Flour Mill, begins with an introduction by Zack Harper, meteorologist for cable channel 93. We meet the five contestants: professional Emma Lee, who has just graduated from business college with a degree in accounting and who has been cooking since she won her first 4-H baking championship at age 12; bold and brassy Brandy Lynn Mayhew Rivera O’Rourke, Zumba instructor and part-time nail technician at Bea’s Hive of Beauty who has been married and divorced twice and is hoping her boyfriend Donny, a middle-aged car salesman, will propose soon; local royalty Mrs. Mildred Waxworth Richardson, CEO of a local department store, president of the Chamber of Commerce and the four-time champion of the previous Jefferson County Bake-Offs, the contestant to beat; Lou Battaglia, a big bruiser from Brooklyn whose family owns restaurants in New York and has recently moved to Jefferson County but is keeping his private life under wraps; and Nurse Jean Smith, an elementary school staff member who never thought she would get this far in the bake-off although she loves baking to make people happy.

The winning prizes are quite impressive: a year’s supply of flour; a $500 gift certificate, a guest spot on News 93’s “Wake Up with Wendy,” their very own public access cooking show, and the title of Jefferson County’s Best Baker.  Each of the five finalists (down from 100) will present three desserts: cookies, a pie and a three-tier wedding cake. However, much of the show is devoted to the interaction between the contestants. All are jealous of Mildred whom they assume has the edge on winning due to her previous showings. The four ladies are suspicious of Lou who has not revealed anything about his previous life. Brash Brandy keeps getting gifts delivered from her boyfriend Donny. And two of the contestants resort to sabotage in their attempt to win at all costs. In addition, a little drama is added by one contestant accidentally cutting herself and one is caught smoking which is forbidden. There are multiple happy endings which nicely tie up the plot.

Michael Hunsaker, Tori Jade Lopez, Lauren Nicole Sherwood, Klea Blackhurst, JP Sarro and Gina Lamparella in a scene from the new musical “Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off” at AMT Theater (Photo credit: Donald Kennedy)

While the orchestrations for only keyboard and drums tends to get a little monotonous, the lyrics are clever and given top-notch delivery by the singers. Each character has at least one solo which defines his or her life or goals. Blackhurst’s Mildred with her Mermanesque voice has the lead in “Be Prepared” about what it is like to be in a competition and has the poignant second act solo, “Eyes on the Prize,” about her relationship with her mother and family. Making her Off Broadway debut, Tori Jade Lopez proves to have an even bigger voice in her song “Make it Big” about her dreams and aspirations. As the shy Jean, Gina Lamparella has a lovely song with “Beautiful,” about how she enjoys making people happy with her cakes. JP Sarro has a winner with the patter song “Famiglia” describing the weekly dinners at his grandmother’s house in Bensonhurst. Lauren Nicole Sherwood’s Brandy registers with “The One for Me” about why she thinks Donny is finally Mr. Right. Michael Hunsaker’s Zack, the emcee, wows with his solo, “Weather” about his passion for meteorology.

As directed by Tom Wallace who has previously staged the 2023 and 2025 Chappaqua productions, the cast is very different in their various roles and make skillful use of the uncredited unit set. As the youngest contestant, Lopez as Emma is ambitious and driven. Sherwood’s Brandy is self-assertive and flashy but has a clear-eyed view of herself. Blackhurst’s Mildred is confident, assured and poised. JP Sarro’s Lou is the dark horse, different from what the others thought of him initially. As Jean, single and new to competitions, Lamparella is shy and self-effacing, quite different from the other more outgoing contestants. As emcee, Hunsaker gives a big performance but is much more fun as Donny, Brandy’s over-the-top boyfriend in his one scene.

While Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off might be a bit too long in its two-act format and a little low on big surprises, it is a cheerful fun entertainment that is perfect for all ages. The colorful cast all have big voices that do justice to the clever songs. In an age of repetition and false rhymes, Barbara Campbell’s lyrics are particularly impressive. At each performance, different New York bakers will be selling their goodies in the lobby after the performance. Check the theater’s website for the lineup.

Just Desserts (through February 22, 2026)

AMT Theater, 354 W. 45^th Street, in Manhattan

For tickets, visit http://www.amttheater.org/justdesserts

Running time: two hours and five minutes including one intermission