Attending Harvard's Hasty Pudding
Whenever possible I always encourage friends and family to share their photos from events and gatherings we've attended.
Last month, I went to Harvard’s Hasty Pudding, a comedy musical extravaganza that was written, performed, and produced by Harvard University students. Though the cast and crew were young, their theatrical organization, Hasty Pudding, is the oldest in the country - its first performance was in 1844. Unafraid of ruffling feathers, the Pudding Show is known for its long tradition of daring social commentary. It can boast that members, including William Randolph Hearst, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Jack Lemmon, appeared on its stage before becoming famous.
I received an invitation to the performance thanks to my friend Darcy Miller - artist, author, celebration expert, entrepreneur, and founding editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. Darcy’s daughter Daisy did a fantastic job co-producing the show. It’s hard to believe I’ve known Daisy since she was born; I've loved watching her grow up. In fact, her mother was just two years older when she started to work for me. Seeing what Daisy and all the students created was inspiring.
Enjoy these photos from the evening.
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- Here I am with Daisy and the Hasty Pudding business staff. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- The orchestral introduction is played entirely by student musicians. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- The Hasty Pudding Theatricals troupe is made up of about 50 undergraduates. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- It’s hard to believe these young men and women attend college full-time while learning and performing six weeks of shows. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- Hasty Pudding Theatricals was originally formed in 1795 as a social club for Harvard College students. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- In total, there is a cast, a band, the tech crew, and the business staff to stage a 35-show run. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- The cancan is a staple of the finale for every Hasty Pudding performance. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- Since 1951, Hasty Pudding has honored a woman of the year – chosen based on their “lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment” (Harvard Gazette). Actress and “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo was this year’s “Woman of the Year” Honoree. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
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- Hasty Pudding has also honored Elizabeth Taylor, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and Anne Hathaway and comedy legends like Lucille Ball. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- Actor John Hamm from Mad Men was this year’s “Man of The Year” Honoree. The “Man of the Year” Award began in 1967 with Bob Hope, and also includes a “who’s who” of Hollywood’s leading men. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
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- Each Honoree gets roasted on the opening night of the show and receives a pudding pot. The name “Hasty Pudding” comes from the founding students, who enjoyed the traditional English pudding at their meetings. Over time, a giant cast-iron pot filled with pudding was dragged across campus for their gatherings, eventually becoming a symbol of Hasty Pudding Theatricals. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
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- Here’s my friend and producer Daisy, and her co-producer Willow, roasting Cynthia. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- For every “Woman of the Year,” it’s a tradition to have a parade through Harvard. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
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- The parade ends in front of the Hasty Pudding Clubhouse. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
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- Inside the Hasty Pudding Club House is a wall of posters and programs from past shows. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- The tour starts in Cambridge, Massachusetts, then to New York City, and a final performance is done in Bermuda. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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- Here I am with Daisy and Kevin Sharkey. What a tour de force! These kids are the new generation full of hope and displaying a great work ethic, sense of humor, and talent! Bravo, Daisy and troupe! Thanks for inviting me. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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