THE FRIDAY FIVE: JJ Rodgers from Actors Point's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

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. This week's spotlight focuses on JJ Rodgers, one of Music City's finest actresses, who opened this week in Hendersonville's Actors Point Theater Company's holiday season offering of It's A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play, directed by 2014 First Night Star Award winner Greg Wilson.

Playing Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, December 21, Actors Point's It's A Wonderful Life features some of the region's best-known performers, including JJ Rodgers, who previously starred in the company's renditions of A Christmas Carol and The Marvelous Wonderettes. Astute television viewers-particularly Nashville fans-are likely to recognize her as Juliette Barnes' evil mother-in-law during season one of the hit ABC series set in Music City USA.

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first onstage taste of theatre was in the many, many children Christmas pageants I was in at my church growing up. I must have played a sheep, a tree, a shepherd...you name it. In fifth grade I was chosen to play Snow White in the all school play. My dancing-with-a-broom skills were intense!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Pray to God I don't forget my lines, forget my entrance, knock into someone or trip. (unless expected and therefore will go full out in comic force).

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I have had a ton. Most recent was playing the Diva in Spamalot last year in Virginia for a sold-out crowd. During one of my big numbers my costume, which was supposed to strip off, got tangled in my long wig and refused to come loose. had to do the entire number with a "knight's suit of armor" hanging by a thread on my hopelessly knotted hair, slung over my arm. Try dancing like that...while scatting...and, well, doing the Diva things that needed to be done. The audience found it hysterical and thought it was part of the show.

What's your dream role? Can someone please cast me as Guinevere in Camelot so I can get it out of my system? That would be swell. "Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?"

Who's your theatrical crush? My husband Travis, the finest actor I know. Oh yeah...and that Hemsworth, hammer-wielding,Thor guy.

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