THE FRIDAY FIVE (on Thursday!): Lipscomb's INTO THE WOODS

Tonight's the night! Lipscomb University Theatre opens its big fall semester musical: Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods, featuring a stellar cast of LDoT students and faculty members in a production directed by Scott Baker. Presented through November 7 at Collins Alumni Auditorium on the Lipscomb campus in Green Hills, Into The Woods is one of those musicals that continue to resonate, both with audiences and theater artisans and tonight's opening night is eagerly anticipated in the Nashville theater community.

What better way to herald Into the Woods' first night than by focusing today's Friday Five (sure, we know it's Thursday, but The Thursday Five doesn't have the same ring to it and The Thursday Thirty just sounds like too much - plus we have other things to do besides talk to actors) on three of the company members, director Scott Baker (who, apparently, can do anything - and actually does it all), actress Kari Smith (who first we reviewed in Annie at Nashville Playhouse in 1989), who is a 2015 First Night Star Award winner, and the very tall (and ridiculously talented) Scott Patrick Wilson, who plays one of the princes and is a 2015 First Night Most Promising Actor!

Find out what makes this trio tick, then may we suggest you buy tickets to the show and see for yourself why I refer to them all as "my favorites."

Scott Baker (director)

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I got cast as a lead in I Never Saw Another Butterfly my sophomore year in high school. I had no idea what I was doing. I feel like that set a good tone for my future life.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I'm not much of a creature of theatrical ritual. Most people wouldn't assume this of me, but I'm an introvert by nature, so pre-show I tend to like to find a way to be alone and quiet.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Oh, man. Just one? Maybe the time another actor and I got our costumes mixed up during a quick change and ended up putting on each others' pants as we were heading out for a dance number. There wasn't enough time to swap once we realized the mistake. He was fine; my pants were a bit big on him. Me? I didn't fare as well. I sucked in and got them buttoned, but then midway through the song the button shot across the stage like a bullet and I had to finish the scene holding my pants up with one hand. Good times.

What's your dream role? Tevye.

Who's your theatrical crush? The Chair of the Lipscomb Theatre Department. Major hottie.

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. I'm a professional sign language interpreter.

Kari Smith (The Witch)

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I was in a production of A Christmas Carol when I was eight. I had already been singing (mom is a voice teacher) since a very early age, and I had been dancing in recitals for a few years prior to that. But that show was my first theatre experience, and I got to share the stage with my dad and brother. From then on, it was a very consistent part of my life, and I was lucky enough to continue this by being in many shows with my parents and siblings.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I use the make-up and hair time to really get focused on what I need to do. I love to stretch and/or do some yoga and also run through all of my lyrics, too. I think it's also fun to create pre-show rituals with cast members...love that cast bonding!

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I can't think of a memorable one that was just tragic or hilarious, but several times when I was choreographing a show, I have had to step in for people last minute who were sick or called out for emergencies. What a rush to perform with very little practice...and actor's nightmare, for sure...but really exciting, too. I did this once during a production of Once Upon a Mattress, and the other actors spent their time discretely nudging me into the correct blocking the whole night. We had some great laughs that night. It turned out great, and reminded me how much of a team effort live theatre is.

What's your dream role? There are so many! I have gotten to play several ream roles, so it is changing these days. The Witch was definitely one of those, and I am so lucky to have played the role twice now. I think now I would love to be Mrs. Lovett, Reno, Mama Rose or Diana.

Who's your theatrical crush? Andy Karl and Raul Esparza. I could launch into some of my old school favorites, too...but I will just stop there.

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. As a kid, I was extremely introverted and shy. People who meet me today don't believe it because I am now extremely extroverted, but I was so scared to talk to new people that I would hide behind my mom or run into another room. Something happened (maybe performing??) around age 11 or so that spun my personality around 180 degrees.

Scott Patrick Wilson (One of the princes)

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I was in a production of The Hobbit when I was in fourth grade.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? It depends on the show for me. For this show, it's all about physicality, so I'll jump around a few times before I come on stage to get my energy up. I also like to check in with the cast before the show since my path doesn't cross with a ton of people backstage very often.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Thankfully I've never had a major problem during a real performance, but during Dogfight at Street, we were having our first dress rehearsal, and the guys had to change on stage. I was still in my boxers and undershirt by the time we were supposed to be done. I just went backstage and finished changing and made it on stage by the final chorus.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? My dream roles are Billy in Carousel, Lenny in Of Mice and Men, and George in Sunday in the Park With George.

Who's your theatrical crush? Cynthia Erivo has my heart right now. She's so emotive and committed to connection on stage. If you haven't heard anything from the revival of The Color Purple yet, go do that now. Laura Osnes is up there consistently though.

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. I'm 6"7'!

ABOUT THE SHOW: Into the Woods, through November 7, at Collins Alumni Auditorium at Lipscomb University, Nashville. Scott Baker directs one of Sondheim's most popular stage works: A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and an Oscar-nominated film in 2014, Into The Woods intertwines the plots of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, bringing them together for a timeless yet relevant piece and a rare modern classic. Enchantingly comedic with a dark twist, the story brings together everyone's favorite characters from "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rapunzel" and "Cinderella," among many others. Will the Baker and his wife get their wish to have a child? Can Cinderella attend the King's Festival, and can Jack feed his family with riches plundered from atop the beanstalk? Will Little Red arrive at Granny's house? When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey that sees that everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. Performance Dates: October 29-31, 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and November 1 at 3:30 p.m.

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