Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster is taking the small screen by storm on the ABC Family summer series Bunheads. Foster stars as Michelle Simms, a former Las Vegas showgirl who has moved into the guesthouse of her ballet teacher mother-in-law Fanny, played by Tony winner Kelly Bishop. When Michelle awakens to a strange visitor in her bed, she tries everything (even peanut butter) to get it to leave. Meanwhile, Fanny sees an accountant to get her bills in order, and Michelle discovers there are only nine ("nine?") paying students at Paradise Ballet Academy. While ballet shoemaker Sal (played by Jon Polito) is knocking down Fanny’s door to be paid, Boo’s unbearable new job is improved by an adorable bartender named Godot (played by General Hospital alum Nathan Parsons)—which makes ballerinas Sasha, Ginny and Melanie extremely jealous. Read below for the best moments from this week’s episode, then check back next week for more Barre Hopping!
Michelle’s Surprise Bedmate: a possum.
Michelle’s Description of Her “Visitor”: “It’s a pointy, furry long-tailed thing with little hand claws.”
Fanny’s Diagnosis: “It’s not a rat, it’s a possum. Which is basically a really big rat.”
Michelle’s Sleepover Idea: “Truly, I can’t go back in there ‘til [the possum] is gone. I could bunk with you tonight, what do you say? We could practice kissing our pillows, pull a Fast Times at Ridgemont High with some carrot sticks?”
Boo’s (Smelly) New Job: The Oyster Bar
Sal’s Derriere Observations: “You have a sort of multi-tush. I see some ballet, a little tap, maybe some modern. That’s a good, trained tush. What are you gonna do with that tush?”
Michelle’s Fundraising Idea: “You could teach one of those dancing dog classes, like on Letterman when people ballroom dance with their Dalmatians?”
Bonus Theater Reference:
Michelle: “Who is he?”
Sasha: “His name is Godot.”
Michelle: “Oh, so you’re all waiting for Godot?”
Boo on Trading Shirts With Godot: “Have you been here all day, working in the same kitchen I’m working? My shirt smells like Hoarders, but this smells like a coconut Snickerdoodle!”
Fanny’s Eco-Friendly Recital Theme: “Paper or Plastic?”
Best Comeback:
Michelle: “I don’t teach.”
Fanny: “You’ve never tried.”
Michelle: “I don’t teach.”
Fanny: “Well then what do you do since leaving Vegas, except sleep with possums and fill the recycle bin with trashy magazines?”