Rent Romance-Phobe Emma Hunton Wants Fro-Yo, Not Flowers, on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about romance, so Broadway.com decided to collect romantic stories (and ideas for celebrating the national day of love) from some of the most passionate people we know: Broadway stars! Read on for memories, menus and much more.

EMMA HUNTON (Maureen in Rent)

What is your happiest Valentine's Day memory?
My happiest Valentine's Day memory would have to be when I first went into Spring Awakening. I had just moved to the city and I was about to make my Broadway debut, so it wasn't anything romantic but it was definitely the moment my life changed and it happened to be around Valentines Day. The best thing that I remember about that week was Blake Daniel passing out That's So Raven Valentines.

What was your biggest Valentine's Day disaster?
My biggest disaster was in ninth grade, and I had a HUGE crush on this kid all year. We had a Sadie Hawkins dance at school for Valentine's Day and I definitely wasn't the type (still not) to initiate flirting or ask someone on a date. At lunch I was talking to my crush and the subject of the dance came up and in a roundabout way he asked me to ask him to the dance (it WAS technically my responsibility, being a Sadie Hawkins dance and all). At the last minute I chickened out. We both ended up going without dates and awkwardly avoiding eye contact all night. I like to think I wouldn't make the same decision now that I'm a little less introverted then I was in high school.

What's the best Valentine's gift you ever gave—or received?
The best gift I ever received was a pair tickets to see Death Cab For Cutie in concert.

Tell us the perfect menu for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.
I'm not a romantic person at all. I'm easily embarrassed by huge displays of affection and I HATE getting flowers. I would enjoy something low key and the menu would probably reflect that. I would enjoy grabbing a burger from Shake Shack, eat while meandering through the park, then find a nice spot for some fro-yo.

What Broadway song would you use for a Valentine's Day serenade?
Hmmm, I don't know what song I would sing specifically, but it would definitely be done as a joke. I could never take myself seriously serenading someone.

If you could spend Valentine's Day with any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
David Bowie. Just to say I hung out with David Bowie.

Keep checking back for more Valentine’s Day ideas from your favorite stars.