April/May Newsletter

May 2
4 min read

A Look Back at the World of Stewpendous Trivia in April:

Slow down 2026!

April started with the pomp and circumstance of Easter bonnets and pageantry. We continued to put the FUN into FUNdrasiers and remain impressed with the dedication parents have to their themes, costumes, and the overall commitment to having a good time for a great cause.

We had some truly iconic themed nights in April with a bar full of Gleeks celebrating and singing all the hits of Glee. We also had our fourth Pokémon-themed trivia night at Sidetrack. It was the biggest turnout to date, and we had to open another bar to accommodate all the Trainers that showed up.

We dedicated an entire night to the 80s at Replay Andersonville. It was, like, Totally the most Fun! I honestly couldn’t decide what rounds to cut, so I decided to do a director’s cut edition and make it a longer night of trivia and good times.

We also brought a lunchtime game show to the Chicago Law Firm Goldberg Kohn, and it certainly brought an extra layer of celebration for their office anniversary.

April gave us another first - Our first show inside the Downtown Evanston Library - We had a special event after hours on a Sunday to raise funds for summer programs. Y’all came out and packed the place. Check out all these fun pictures! Way to support your local library! I hope we get a chance to do it again.

The month came to a close with our very first "Mrs. Roper Romp Party" with a bar full of Caftans, red wig-wearing ladies, a couple of Stanleys, and even a Janet! You'll have to see that picture at the very end of this newsletter.

Lunchtime Trivia Show? Yes PLEASE!

FUN FACT OF THE MONTH!

In 1943, the Agricultural Department used Bambi (released in 1942) to promote forest safety and the prevention of forest fires.

Disney only allowed them to use the characters for a year, so when 1943 came to a close, they had to come up with a new idea....

In 1944, Smokey the Bear made his debut. His original slogan wasn't nearly as catchy.

Upcoming Stewpendous Chicago Trivia in May!

May is bringing big things!! We are bringing the Stewpendous Fun Train to Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field. We will be doing both a Trivia and a Music Bingo Show each month on Tuesdays from now till September. Trivia will start on May 12th, and Music Bingo will start on May 26th! We'll have all the dates and themes on our website. Make sure you check it out. Please come out and support our brand new partnership on those beautiful summer nights!

Please join us on May 16th at 2 pm at Whiskey Girl as we workshop a brand new Stewpendous Productions Game Show. We need a test audience, and we would love it if that were you!!

Our Loaves and Witches trivia show is going back to the beautiful start time of 6 PM! Every last Friday of the month. Mark your calendars for May 28th - 6 PM.

All the details, themes, and more of what is to come can be found here:

VIEW THE CALENDAR

Or DM me on Insta, and I'll be happy to tell you!

Sparkle Squad Spotlights

We've got some busy bees these coming months!

Jenny Hoppes (your Lizzie McNeil's music bingo host and the trivia host at Acorn) in “Southern Rapture” with Tim Drum Theatre at Theatre Wit.

Catch Cam (your Lizzie McNeil's trivia host) in his new Sketch Show:

Drink! Conspiracy Theories at Cornservatory.

Fridays and Saturdays, at 7:30 pm from May 29th to June 13th

Janelle, our newest Sparkle Squad member, has an Improv Bootcamp starting on June 13th. Give her a follow on Instagram for additional information on how to be a part of it!

Trivia Question

May 24, 1844. Samuel Morse sent the First Telegraph Message. What message did he send over the first telegraph wire?

Want to know the answer? Keep Scrolling down!

Our Stewpendous Recipe!

Stewpendous Productions firmly believes that trivia is always better with snacks. We want to celebrate our love of Pop Culture with a monthly recipe for a snack or a cocktail. Nostalgia is a key pillar of our quizzical philosophy! Every month, we’ll give you a fun, nostalgic pop-culture recipe that will surely awaken your memories!

The classic Rice Krispies treat is always a hit and a perfect addition to any weekend hang with friends. Bring them out for game nights, BBQs, or just watching a classic movie on a weeknight. We found this recipe from the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, that totally takes the treat to the next level.

Nutella Krispie Bars!

Ingredients:

recipe found on Pioneer Woman

6 tbps. salted butter, divided
5 cups large marshmallows
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1/3 cup Nutella
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups miniature marshmallows, divided
2/3 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped

Directions:

In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the marshmallows and salt, and stir until the marshmallows start to melt, 1 to 2 minutes. Halfway through the melting process, add the Nutella. When the Nutella and marshmallows are melted, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and stir until smooth.
Meanwhile, in a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt the semi-sweet chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and let it cool quite a bit.
To a large bowl, add the Rice Krispies and fold in the Nutella mixture. When it's almost fully combined, add 1 ½ cups of miniature marshmallows to the bowl, then continue folding until everything is combined.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Immediately press the Rice Krispies mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the pecans. Drizzle the melted chocolate in zigzags all over the top of the treats. Sprinkle the other half of the pecans and the remaining ½ cup of marshmallows on top.
Allow to set for at least 1 hour, then cut into squares.

Want to earn 5 pts for your next night of Stewpendous Trivia?

Tell your host the answer to this riddle:

When young, I am sweet in the sun.

When middle-aged, I make you gay.

When old, I am valued more than ever.

Stewpendous Productions is here for all your event needs! Check the website for more information and share this newsletter with a friend!

Trivia Answer: What Hath God Wrought