Friday 5 (+1) on Thursday: Seidl and Kummer's ACROSS THE LINES

Opening tonight in Gallatin is Scott Seidl and Stephen Kummer's Civil War musical Across the Lines, running through Saturday night at CenterStage, 250 Hancock Street. The new musical, based on a true story drawn from the letters of Captain Robert A. Ragan and his memoir Escape From East Tennessee to the Federal Lines, continues its development with the three performances which feature a cast of local artists who bring the various characters in the story to life.

The history, given nearly as possible by Captain R.A. Ragan of his individual experiences during the war of the War of the Rebellion from 1861 to 1864. Across the Lines follows the true life journey of Robert A. Ragan during the Civil War as he navigates his way, not only from the South to where his heart lies in the North, but through the changing allegiances of his family and friends in East Tennessee.

Who can he trust? Where can he hide? His letters home come alive as he shares the terror, and at times the humor, of his race to the blue hills of Kentucky. The people he meets and ultimately guides, help paint a picture of a national conflict in a very poignant and personal way. Throughout the piece, this new play is commented on in a touching and sometimes boisterous style, in the songs of The Soloist. She frames the action with an emotional score by the songwriting team of Scott Seidl and Stephen Kummer.

Described as "a story that spans a lifetime that can often pass in the blink of an eye," Across the Lines' R.A. Ragan must cross the lines from South to North, from friend to foe and from life to death. Tickets are available at www.ticketpeak.com/res/acrossthelines.

Today, to herald the show's opening night, four of the cast members - Tyler Evick, Jenny Slate Lee, Arcii Starr and JulIa Wilson-Nolan - found time in their hectic pre-show schedules to answer our queries and to offer some reasons audiences will respond to Seidl and Kummer's new work in today's Friday 5 (+1) on a Thursday!

Tyler Evick

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? I have been involved with Easter pageants and Christmas musicals in my home church since before I can remember. But, my first Broadway style show changed my life. My parents surprised me with tickets to The Phantom of the Opera for Christmas when I was in the first grade. The First National Tour was in Cincinnati, and I went down with my dad. To this day, Phantom is my favorite show.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I have to take a moment before a show and just be quite, and in my own head space for a minute. Then I jump up and down for a few seconds to get my blood pumping!

What is your favorite "the show must go on" moment? At the end of the run of Cats in Concert with Street Theatre, I had gotten sick and was losing my voice little by little. I wondered through the entire last show if my voice would hold out. It was WORK to sing anything. I made it through the last song and by the time I walked off stage, I could barely talk. Muscle memory is a fascinating thing. Practice enough, and your body can push through most circumstances just by doing what it has done a thousand times before.

Who is your theatrical crush? Currently: Ben Platt. I want to be Ben Platt.

What is your dream role? The Phantom of the Opera. Or Evan Hansen. (I want to be Ben Platt...)

Why should people come see ACROSS THE LINES? The message in this show is so important right now. No matter what your political ideology, or your way of life, we all share this place. We have to understand that we all don't think the same, and violence does not change anyone's mind. Thoughtful discussion without intent to embarrass or chastise, but to understand, will be the only thing that brings us together. Both sides and people in every walk of life can learn from this message. This is a timely, and important story to tell.

Jenny Slate Lee

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? I was 11 and my music teacher noticed me and inspired me to audition for the school play, Beauty and the Beast where I ended up playing Belle. That was my first taste and I fell in love with it all. The whole process. I owe that music teacher and another director that encouraged me so much for bringing the arts into my life. (Love you, Ms. Stansell and Mr. Barton)

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Headphones in with music that takes me far away into another zone. Works for writing, too.

What is your favorite "the show must go on" moment? Ha! There have been many. From pausing a show to take cover in a tornado, to set malfunctions that caused the electricity to go out - yet we still sang on in the dark, "Masquerade..."

Who is your theatrical crush? Laurie from Little Women. What was Jo thinking turning him down?!?

What is your dream role? Maria, The Sound of Music. She is in my spirit.

Why should people come see ACROSS THE LINES? I have always had a heart for true stories coming to life on stage. The parallels between the mentality during the Civil War and now are really interesting. So many times we (the cast) have caught ourselves saying "that sounds like today". Mix those lessons in with a war, a beautiful love story, and a gorgeous musical underscore and it's a perfect recipe for a great show!

Arcii Starr

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first taste was in kindergarten when I was to play a munchkin. I quit because my partner was holding my hand too tight during our rehearsals. Aside from that, Across the Lines is my first!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I have yet to develop one, but I would assume that I would just want to be alone in silence to prepare.

What is your favorite "the show must go on" moment? When I was in marching band, I tripped over a flagpole. Fell to the ground and everything, but the show must go on. Got right. Got right back up and kept marching on.

Who is your theatrical crush? Not necessarily a crush, but I'm a huge fan of anything Jennifer Hudson sings and acts in.

What is your dream role? I have two: Seaweed from Hairspray and Cece from Dreamgirls

Why should people come see ACROSS THE LINES? Across the Lines takes a new perspective on a portion of history that we're all so familiar with. It's a story more about unity than it is division.

Julia Wilson Nolan

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? When I was six years old, I saw Andrea McArdle in Annie and I was absolutely hooked! My whole room was decorated Annie and I still know EVERY line - I've probably directed that show a good dozen times!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Closing my eyes and visualizing the show, running lines/lyrics in my mind.

What is your favorite "the show must go on" moment? Well, I've had more than I would like to recall, but one of the ones which sticks out was when I was at Tokyo Disney in the Diamond Horseshoe Revue dinner show and a drunk patron grabbed me and kissed me during my song in the audience. I missed my next cue and couldn't get back to the stage fast enough!!! That was not part of the show!

Who is your theatrical crush? Locally, I would say Mia Rose Lynne. She's amazing. Seriously. On Broadway: Jeremy Jordan! That voice! That charisma!

What is your dream role? Pumbaa in Lion King. Just kidding. The Witch in Into the Woods, Rose in Gypsy, Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde, I could go on and on....

Why should people come see ACROSS THE LINES? It is extremely relevant given the current division in our country. It's a beautiful, haunting score and touching story.

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