THE FRIDAY FIVE: Molly Breen and Jessica Theiss

We're back! And along with all our other baggage - both emotional and otherwise - we bring you our latest edition of The Friday Five, our semi-regular column in which we introduce you to some of the actors busily making new theater in Tennessee.

Sure, there are other question-and-answer columns to be found all over the interwebs, but this is perhaps the best way to get to know people before venturing out into the cold, icy, snowy world to see them plying their trade onstage.

Today, our Friday Five spotlight is focused on Molly Breen and Jessica Theiss who last night celebrated, along with the rest of their cast and crew, opening night of White Orchard Theatre's Feels Colder Than Love, conceived by - and directed by and designed by, with video production overseen by - Irina Sundukova, playing the Black Box Theatre at Ensworth High School, in Nashville, through January 29.

Find out what makes Breen and Theiss tick, theatrically speaking, then make reservations to see them in their new show!

Molly Breen

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? When I was in second grade, I played a workhouse boy in the "Best Off-Broadway" Community Theater Production of Oliver! in Palatine, Illinois (quite a distance "Off-Broadway").

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Usually, if I'm at the Darkhorse, it involves visiting the McDonalds (with the "broken" ice cream machine) for something to drink while getting ready. Otherwise, I'll hit a Sonic or Thornton's on my way to the theater for a drink with nugget ice. Although this is kind of my pre-everything ritual. I always love laughing and talking with friends while doing hair and make-up.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I believe it was when half our cast for a show in NYC's Fringe Festival was stuck in traffic, and the show was minutes away from being cancelled by management, as turnover schedules were very tight. Luckily, they arrived just in time to save us all from what could have been a bit of a heartbreaking experience, and although we were all frazzled and not necessarily in costume, the show went on...

What's your dream role? I don't have a particular dream role - other than all the dream roles in many musicals I will never get to play as I'm not a singer (although oddly, I think I could do an interesting Pontius Pilate if given the opportunity). However, nothing is more exciting to me personally than acting in a developing or completed new work, be it in the form of a reading (I will always jump at the chance to read a new play) or a full production.

Who's your theatrical crush? My first theatrical crush was on Scott Church, the eighth grade boy who played the Artful Dodger in the above-mentioned "Best Off-Broadway" production of Oliver! (I was in love; he didn't know I was alive). My next theatrical crush was Murray Head as a result of umpteen listens to the original concept album version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Currently, I'm rather taken with that Lin-Manuel Miranda (along with millions of others). It's thrilling to realize that In the Heights and Hamilton are just at the launching pad of his career and to know there is a body of work still yet to be created ahead of him. It will be fascinating to see his musical theatre legacy unfold in real time.

SUPER-SECRET EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. Unfortunately, I'm not very surprising. I wish I could say I had a pilot's license or spoke fluent Japanese or some other interesting hidden talent or interest, but the truth is most of what I enjoy doing - reading, acting, seeing plays, film or dance performances, and talking with people (once my shyness is out of the way) - revolves predictably around a love of stories. I can't get enough of them!

Jessica Theiss

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first "live, onstage" theater would technically be in preschool when I had a solo in my school show. I was the girl with the bracelet. Big stuff. Aside from that, my first non-church or school show was a production of Guys and Dolls Jr. where I got to play the lovely Sarah Brown.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My only pre-show ritual would probably be meditation. I don't like to obsess over my lines and bury in a script. I may blast some music while getting ready, but once I'm in costume and ready to go I usually find a quiet little corner and meditate into my character.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Hmmm that can be a tricky one. I've performed several times either fully medicated from being sick or hiding a sprained ankle. One time, I believe it was during my performance of West Side Story, I straight up forgot my contacts and had to do the entire show blind. That was stressful.

What's your dream role? I have several really. I've been lucky enough to play Roxie in Chicago but I'd kill (see what I did there?) to do it again. My biggest dream however, would probably be Kate in the Wild Party followed by Mad Hatter in Wonderland the Musical.

Who's your theatrical crush? Major girl crush on Idina and Bernadette, so let's just get that out of the way. I suppose the term "theatrical crush" implies a character though so let's see....is it weird to say Flynn from Tangled? Cause that one.

ABOUT THE SHOW Feels Colder Than Love presented by White Orchard Theater makes its debut on stage in Nashville at the Ensworth School Auditorium Black Box on Highway 100 from January 21-29, 2016. The show is a series of vignettes that focus on the psychology of the ultimate decision through the prism of five classical plays: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, Kane's 4:48, Ibsen's Hedda Gabler and Chekhov's The Seagull.

These vignettes ARE supported by film and video effects and stylized graphics. White Orchard Theater has translated these traditional plays to reflect posh present-day situations. The show is a dark, minimalist, introspective satire that aims to reflect new social trends when it comes to suicide. The cast features Molly Breen, Pat Reilly, Megan Blevins, Jonah Kraut, Angela Gimlin, Jaymes Campbell, and Jessica Theiss. Costume design by Irina Sundukova. Graphic effects by Jennifer Deafenbaugh. Video produced by Lance Ogren and Irina Sundukova.

Tickets are available at whiteorchardtheater.com, or by calling (305) 331-1233.

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