THE FRIDAY FIVE (on Thursday): RENT's Philip Boston

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 Philip Boston, who Friday night makes his debut as Mark in PACT's embattled production of Rent in Tullahoma.

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first live onstage performance was The Music Man when I was 10 years old. I hated it so much that I swore that I would never do another theater thing ever again. Helping with or starting in 40-plus shows later, you can see how well that worked out.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I drink juices or tea. I go running. I eat greasy fast food. I call my mom. Whatever I need that day to relax and be refreshed for the performance.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I don't believe that I've been a part of a show where something DIDNT go wrong. The most recent memorable one came from Shrek the musical. On our final dress night, the castle with 4 people on it rolled over my foot. Ouch! I was in a dance number right afterwards, so I danced the entire dance on the foot and then passed out backstage. You can't say I wasn't committed.

What's your dream role? I'm actually performing it! Rent is a show that truly embodies all different kinds of love throughout the show. It shows that love is a human experience that is universal. We all feel it. We all need it. We all live it. And I couldn't be more happy to be with this incredible cast and share this message.

Who's your theatrical crush? Jonathan Groff. Billy Porter, I love him. And, of course, the incredible Anthony Rapp. If we are talking females, Audra McDonald and Sutton Foster have my heart.

BONUS: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people...I am a twin! Yes an identical twin. My twin brother goes to college for Opera performance. Go figure that I'm in Rent right as he starts looking into La Boheme as an opera. For those who don't know, La Boheme is the opera that Rent is based on. The world is weird sometimes.

About the show: Controversy continues to swirl in Tullahoma as PACT (Performing Arts for Children and Teens) presents its version of Jonathan Larson's Rent, opening this Friday night and running through July 19. Local pastors and some parents have expressed concern about the show's adult themes, but the production company vows to soldier on and give audiences a top-notch show of the iconic musical.

PACT implores audiences to "Come see Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning modern retelling of the classic Italian opera, La Boheme at South Jackson Civic Center." Robert Allen directs and Erica Petersen is music director.

Set in New York City during the AIDS epidemic of the late 20th century, Rent follows a group of eight young adults attempting to embrace the bohemian lifestyle. Follow them through a year of their lives as they encounter love, death, poverty, affliction, and addiction. Featuring a Grammy Award-winning soundtrack including songs such as "Seasons of Love" and "La Vie Boheme," this modern rock opera will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Performances are scheduled for July 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and July 12 and 19 at 2:30 p.m.
The house will open 30 minutes prior to performances. Concessions will be available for purchase during intermission and The Mitchell Museum will also be open during this time.

NOTICE: Due to the adult themes of Rent, attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Attendees under the age of 18 must bring written consent from a parent/guardian.

Rent is performed at the South Jackson Civic Center, at 404 S. Jackson Street, in Tullahoma.

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