Friday 5: ADDAMS FAMILY's Two Katies and an Isaac

Curtain's up on Friday night - April 1 - as Belmont University Musical Theatre presents its version of The Addams Family, the Broadway musical about Charles Addams' creepy, kooky and surprisingly pitch-perfect and iconic cartoon family. With two casts taking on the roles of the Addamses, the Beinekes (daughter Wednesday's suitor is the buttoned-up Lucas Beineke), the ancestors and the like, audiences are sure to find much to enjoy in this production, which will be staged at the Troutt Theatre on the Belmont campus in Nashville.

Today, we focus our Friday 5 spotlight - okay, we know it's Thursday and while you pointing that out shows that you are aware of what's happening in your life, it just paints us as the anxious type we have always been, unable to wait to share the good news at our fingertips - on three Addams Family cast members who are among the always-entertaining, always-dazzling, always-impressive BUMT students who are destined to set the world of musical theater on fire in their future careers as professional actors.

Here's your opportunity to get to know two Katies and an Isaac in The Friday 5: Katie Bays (who shares the role Morticia with Lissa de Guzman), Katie Davis (who's playing Wednesday, along with Caitlyn Poryako) and Isaac Brotzman (cast with Zachary Martin Waters as Uncle Fester). Read on - and then sang your tickets as quickly as possible!

Katie Bays (Morticia)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? The first musical I can remember seeing live was Thoroughly Modern Millie put on by the local high school. It was a truly eye-opening experience for me. The dancing, the singing, the magical technical aspects in the eyes of a twelve-year-old were inspiring. A year later, I saw Wicked when it toured through my city - talk about magical! I'd been dancing since I was little and was in choir at school, but being in my first musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast, was an experience that I will never forget. It cemented my passions and put me on the path to where I am today.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? I always arrive way before call time. I hate feeling rushed, so I warm up my voice and body, and then I get hair and make-up and costumes taken care of, but along the way I will play music and dance around for a bit before I center myself with a prayer, usually with castmates, and then it's showtime!

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? Oh I have had many a good example here, but I think my favorite as far as an actual play or musical comes from the terrible middle school years. I was in a play and had an off the shoulder dress that was too big, and so it had to be pinned in the back. Well, of course that pin just happens to break open on stage. Luckily, I felt it happen, so I quickly grabbed the front of it before it fell down, but in about two lines I was supposed to faint into another guy's arms. Well, as an awkward middle schooler, that wasn't going to happen! So while still sturdily clutching the front of my dress, I just leaned back slightly and pretended like that was a convincing enough swoon! Needless to say, I have learned my share about fabric tape since then!

What's your dream role? Jo in Little Women, for sure. However, I would also love to be Hildy in On the Town. I'm attracted to really strong, but quirky women, so most anything that fits that bill, I'm all over!

Who's your theatrical crush? Shoot, this one is hard! Probably James Snyder or Aaron Tveit - completely different, but equally talented and handsome!

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE ADDAMS FAMILY? If not for the nostalgia factor alone, then because it is presented by an amazing group of students. It has been under fantastic direction and musical direction with wonderful choreography, and the cast has worked tirelessly to create a fun and funny show that still manages to have heart in it! I think it is a great opportunity to come and have fun for two and a half hours for such a low price that I'm not really sure how anyone could justify not seeing it!

Isaac Brotzman (Uncle Fester)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? Well, my first time 'on stage' was in a summer Sunday School production when I was eight years old. I played Moses in a rather simplistic adaption of the the saga of the Israelites' 40-year sojourn into the wilderness. (I wore a false beard that, to this day, I am convinced was fashioned from a re-purposed mop.) My very first role in a legitimate musical occurred at the age of 19, a Rodgers and Hammerstein revue called Some Enchanted Evening, put on by Falls Patio Players in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? During Oklahoma!, Suzanna Champion introduced the cast to what would become my favorite ritual. The entire cast stands in a circle, holding hands, and we take three collective deep breaths in absolute silence. The unity that this simple exercise evokes is palpable.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? At one point during my stint as Sheriff Earl in All Shook Up, there was a gag involving spinning my gun and getting it stuck on my finger. One particular time, it actually got stuck in the trigger guard mid-performance, and I had to ignore the fact that my index finger was slowly being bent into an unnatural position in complete silence.

What's your dream role? If I could play Shrek for the rest of my life, I'd be perfectly content. (That or Robert in Bridges of Madison County.)

Who's your theatrical crush? Oh, there are so very many, but in particular, Sutton Foster, Krysta Rodriguez, and Steven Pasquale.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE ADDAMS FAMILY? The Addams Family is a rip-roaring good time. Both casts have poured their collective heart and soul into this unique production, and the end product of that devotion is a hilarious romp through issues of love, family, and ancient instruments of persuasion. Come to Belmont and see it! You won't regret it. Full Disclosure!

Katie Davis (Wednesday Addams)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first taste of "live, onstage" theatre was in the 3rd grade, when I was in the children's chorus of the Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Nat'l Tour. When the tour came through Cincinnati, a group of us kids got to join the cast for their run of the show and I thought I was the bee's knees. Performing on a stage that big and seeing professional actors and dancers run around backstage - I was like a kid at Disney World for the first time. It was pure magic and my heart got hooked on theatre for the first time.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? My favorite pre-show ritual at Belmont is meeting as an entire program before places to focus our minds and energy together. This time includes breathing together, praying together, and reminding each other how lucky we are to be able to do what we do. We head straight to places after a final squeal and a chant and we're ready to go!

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? My least favorite, but perhaps most memorable, example of "the show must go on" was during a performance of Grease. I was playing Sandy and it was during the final number of the show. Wearing tight leather leggings and a rather skimpy black, sequined halter top, I was dancing on top of a picnic table embracing Sandy's new, confident look when I noticed all my cast mates shooting me alarming looks. I didn't realize what had happened at first, but when I looked down I learned all too late the the halter straps on my shirt had broken and my shirt was...well...less than a shirt. I had pretty much flashed the audience and there was no going back. Everyone on stage laughed our way through the rest of the number because, well, the show must go on. Let's just say "Sexy Sandy" really took her transformation too far that night.

What's your dream role? How could I choose?! If I have to pick a few right now, I'd say Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Jo March in Little Women, Cinderella in Into The Woods, and Mary Poppins of course!

Who's your theatrical crush? My theatrical crush is of course Laura Osnes! Duh. She is adorable and versatile and sweet and has the voice of an angel. She's played literally all of my dream roles including Cinderella, Julie Jordan, Bonnie Parker, and Nellie from South Pacific. SHE IS FLAWLESS! Beyonce of Broadway.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE ADDAMS FAMILY? People should come see The Addams Family because it will be their LAST chance to see the Class of 2016 share the stage together! We are going out with a bang with this hilarious, entertaining, chilling comedy and you don't wanna miss it! Come see amazing costumes, hear fantastic music, and see the famous Addams family come to life on stage!!

About the show: Based on the ghoulish cartoons by Charles Addams, The Addams Family is a musical comedy that will have you laughing to death! Follow the story of Wednesday Addams as she falls in love and takes the family on a wild ride that has them facing their worst nightmare...one normal night. It's just a simple dinner party. What could go wrong? Come meet the family. We'll leave the lights off for you. Tickets available at the Curb Box Office or belmont.edu/music: $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, Belmont faculty, staff and non-Belmont students, and free for Belmont students. For more information, call (615) 460-6408. Showtimes: April 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.; April 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 2 p.m.

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