THE FRIDAY FIVE: Crystal Kurek & Corey Shadd from WEST SIDE STORY

Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to BroadwayWorld Nashville's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state. Today, we introduce you to Corey Shadd and Crystal Kurek, who star as Tony and Maria in West Side Story, opening tonight at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts.

Our suggestion for you? Read Corey and Crystal's answers to our queries and then make reservations to catch them onstage in one of musical theater's best-known and most beloved works.

Corey Shadd

What was your "first, live, onstage" taste of theater? My first "live onstage" taste of theater was in high school. I played Herb in Godspell. It was then, I realized I loved the stage, especially the rush and pressure of performing.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My favorite pre-show ritual is just taking about 5 minutes to get into the zone of the character I am portraying. Those five minutes might be filled with just silence, as I think about the character and try to embody who that character is.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? My most memorable "the show must go on" moment was in a production of Evita. We used performance tracks for the performances instead of a live orchestra. During one of the most dance heavy numbers in the show, Buenos Aires, the music director accidentally hit the wrong button and the music started over at the beginning of the dance interlude. The cast immediately knew to go back to the beginning of the dance and move right along. It was pretty seamless and looked as though, it was supposed to happen, haha.

What's your dream role? My dream role would be has yet to even come to the stage, however I am hoping it will soon! My dream role is Christian in Moulin Rouge. I would also love to have the opportunity to play Tarzan. I love Phil Collins' music in that show.

Who's your theatrical crush? My theatrical crush would be my wife who also performs in shows. She is playing Velma in West Side Story with me.

BONUS: Tell us something that would most likely surprise the hell out of people. I've had the opportunity to perform in venues around the world. The White House, Carnegie Hall, Canterbury Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral and The Sydney Opera House.

Crystal Kurek

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I grew up near Atlanta, and one day as a small child my mom treated me to a show at the beautiful Fox Theatre downtown: Show Boat. I was mesmerized and from then on wanted to sing and act. My first role happened to be a Siamese child in The King and I with Shirley Jones at the same Fox Theatre!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I like to get to the theatre early when not many people are around to get ready, think about the show, and pray. There's something magical to me about the quietness of an empty theatre.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? When I was asked to play Aunt March at two performances of the musical Little Women, in addition to playing Mrs. Kirk. Even though I had time to prepare, I was afraid I could never pull off an old, crabby lady with a mezzo song!

What's your dream role? Maria! I'm so happy to play her; I never thought I'd get the chance! Besides her, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera

Who's your theatrical crush? Julie Andrews.

BONUS: Tell us something that would most likely surprise the hell out of people. I used to be a child model and once modeled some back to school clothes on the Regis and Kathy Lee Show. Regis sat next to me and kept making me laugh by using his squirt gun on Kathy Lee!

About the show: A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the 1950s, West Side Story is the heartbreaking tale of Tony and Maria, star-crossed young lovers caught in a turf war between rival gangs. The well-known musical score full of Latin and Jazz-infused songs includes "Somewhere," "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty," and "America." West Side Story premiered on Broadway in 1957 and is the result of a collaboration between three theatrical luminaries, the book by Tony Award-winner Arthur Laurents, music by Tony and Grammy award-winner Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Tony, Grammy, Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-winner Stephen Sondheim. The smash hit 1961 film version of West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and catapulted the musical to the center of the national conversation. The Center for the Arts' production is directed by Kim Powers, with musical direction by Sam Hagler and choreography by Julie Wilcox.

Appearing as the iconic couple are Corey Shadd as Tony, who audiences just enjoyed as Ted Hinton in Bonnie and Clyde, and Crystal Kurek as Maria. Dakota Green will be portraying Riff, the leader of the Jets, while Timothy Taylor plays Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. Emily Park-Highfield is the fiery Anita. The 37 person cast is comprised mostly of local teenagers and college performers, which excites director Kim Powers: "These kids are the age of the gang members in this show. Watching them learn what this show is really about and how relevant it is to today's race relations has been very rewarding."

West Side Story will run July 17-August 2, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for Seniors, Students and Military and $11 for Children age 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased on the Center's website at www.boroarts.org, by calling (615) 904-2787, or by stopping by The Center during business hours.

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