The Friday 5: Three from ACT 1's LYSISTRATA

Taking on the challenge of adapting Aristophanes, updating it to make it more accessible to contemporary audiences, ACT 1 unveils its first production of 2016 with Bradley Moore's vision of Lysistrata, supported by a Go Fund Me account, and replacing the previously announced production of Alabama Rain that was pulled from the schedule due to the title suddenly becoming unavailable. In the process of choosing a new work for the slot in the ACT 1 calendar, the powers-that-be decided to go back to theatrical origins, specifically in Greek theater for the production they promise will be entertaining, hilarious and, most assuredly, talked about in weeks to come.

Today, three of the folks most closely associated with the production - director Moore is joined by cast members Sarah Shepherd and Maggie Pitt - fall under our Friday 5 spotlight, allowing us to get to know more about what makes them tick and why each of them believe audiences should flock to Darkhorse Theatre to see their racy rendition of Aristophanes' Lysistrata.

Bradley Moore (director)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? I was five years old in a very big production of Charlotte's Web. I had a very small role that was only in Act 2 and I still remember how terrified I was to take the stage.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? It really depends on the show; some shows need more concentration; some need more energy. I guess the only true ritual is to make sure I pee at the five-minute call. When I played Thomas in Venus in Fur, I was onstage for an hour and a half with no exits and no chance to pee if that situation arose. I actually monitored my liquid intake on show days. Ever since then, having to pee while on stage is a fear of mine.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? When I was younger, I broke my foot right after a final dress rehearsal. However, there I was, onstage the next night in a walking cast, doing the show! This show was a musical, too. Not sure my dancing was up to par with the cast on my foot, but I was definitely up on that stage doing my thing!

What's your dream role? Che in Evita. Black Stache in Peter and The Starcatcher. Collins in Rent. Irwin in The History Boys.

Who's your theatrical crush? I feel like my brain went right to famous people, but in reality, my theatrical crushes always come from people that I have worked with and respect on a personal and artistic level. Here are just a few, in no particular order: Martha Wilkinson, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, Taylor Novak, Lydia Bushfield, and Shauna Smartt-Hopkins.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see Lysistrata? I think a lot of people lump Greek Theatre in with Shakespeare. They are both older styles and sometimes can be looked at as boring or hard to understand. In adapting the script for Lysistrata and putting it within a modern concept, I hope to make this kind of theatre much more accessible for the audience. After all, it is a comedy. And it is about withholding sex. And there are a lot of erections. If that was not enough, the cast is absolutely stacked with so much talent! I feel like everyone who comes to see it will definitely have a few laughs, and hopefully a great time!

Sarah Shepherd (One of the people)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? Technically my first taste of "live, onstage" theater was when I was very young. I remember my mother taking my younger sister and me to see Cats. I was absolutely not impressed at all, in fact to this day, Cats is my least favorite musical of all time (apologies to fans of the show). That being said, I think I experienced my first live theater "moment," where I fell in love with it, when I went to New York City for the first time on a trip with my middle school's drama club. We saw Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, and Phantom of the Opera in one week. I was from then on irrevocably head-over-heels for the theater.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? Before a show, especially one that requires more energy or focus than usual, I always have some kind of energy drink or coffee and chat with my fellow cast mates about anything, really. I find that it creates better chemistry onstage if there's also good chemistry offstage. As many actors know, by getting onstage, especially doing live theater, we make ourselves very vulnerable. We have to, on some level, to portray each character, tell a story, and create a moment for the audience. I feel like it's easier for me to put myself in that vulnerable place onstage when I have a great support system within the cast offstage. I have been lucky enough to experience this in several shows, and Lysistrata is no exception! This cast is truly amazing.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? Oh my goodness, my most memorable "the show must go on" moment was when I was in Cinderella at Hendersonville Performing Artcs Center many years ago. I was cast as the Fairy Godmother. We were doing the "enchanted" version, which is the version that was made into a movie where Whitney Houston was the Fairy Godmother. I remember by the last weekend of the 15-show run, I was so proud of myself for working on my mezzo-belt and really knocking out my musical solos, that I was not expecting my voice to give out on me MID-PERFORMANCE! I remember, while I was singing "There's Music In You," the music was swelling for the big "diva" note and when I opened my mouth, not a sound came out. It was one of the most humiliating moments I've ever had onstage (save the time I ran into the wall of the set of Willy Wonka in the dark trying to exit a scene...another story for another time). I had to power through the rest of closing weekend on hot tea, cough drops, steam machines and hope.

What's your dream role? My dream role.that's a tough one! I have several and they change constantly. I think right now, I'm most excited that they are making the musical Bombshell from the TV show Smash into a real Broadway musical. I think I would probably fight someone for the role of Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe. I absolutely adore her and her story. She went through a lot in her short life and she overcame so many obstacles with resilience. Even though, in the end, she didn't win her war, she sure did fight tooth and nail to get to where she did in an industry that was heavily influenced by many men who had little to no respect for her, or women in general. I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it! I would also love to play Elphaba/Galinda in Wicked one day! And I'm still crossing my fingers that someday I will get to do Legally Blonde because, let's face it, Elle Woods is my spirit animal! I've even got the tiny dog and pink pumps to prove it!

Who's your theatrical crush? My theatrical crush, as far as Broadway Theater goes, is Jeremy Jordan. His voice is just so incredibly soulful and strong. On a more local level, my theatrical crush is without a doubt the amazingly talented Bradley Moore. He's been there supporting me and believing in me for almost two years now and I am honored to be working with him again in Lysistrata. I really admire that incredibly creative mind of his.

Why should people come see Lysistrata? There are so many reasons to come see Lysistrata! The reason that stands out the most for me, besides the stellar cast and creative team, is the comedy aspect. This show is hilarious. For a person who really appreciates a good belly-laugh, such as myself, Lysistrata is really going to tickle your funny bone. I mean, our first read through was 90% laughter. Bradley, Taylor, Elizabeth and Eric have really given an older work of art a tastefully unexpected, but amazing twist that honestly makes the traditional humor and plot easier for a modern audience to follow and understand. I hope everyone will come see the show and laugh at us...and with us!

Maggie Pitt (Cleonice)

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first time onstage was as a rat in the Nutcracker when I was six years old, but my first theatrical play was Treasure Island with Circle Players in 2007. I played a male sailor with a painted-on stubble beard, and I died twice on stage in the span of five minutes. I had an absolute blast and made a lot of good friends during that show.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My main pre-show ritual is to run my lines, either by myself or with my castmates. Depending on the show I may also try to get into character with music, and if I have nervous energy I'll tap dance.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Probably the most intense moment for me was during The Producers at the Keeton Theatre. I was in the ensemble and an understudy for one of the dance numbers. One night a dancer had an unexpected conflict, so I agreed to fill in despite only knowing about half the dance from watching rehearsals and performances. Earlier in the show I had to do a scene change where I had to move a garbage can full of empty liquor bottles. That night the garbage can caught on a clothesline and the bottles spilled out and broke on stage. I quickly picked up the broken pieces but my hands were then covered in tiny cuts from the glass shards. I had about 20 minutes to learn the rest of the dance from one castmate while another was bandaging my hands. Onstage, I got about two-thirds of the way through the dance before my brain fried and my fellow dancers had to gently guide me through the rest of the routine. A friend of mine said I had a "smile of terror" plastered on my face for the entire number, but by golly the show did go on.

What's your dream role? I got to play Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story last year, and while I don't have dream roles it's going to be difficult for me to top that. I usually look for roles that will be interesting and/or challenging and not the equivalent of something I've already played.

Who's your theatrical crush? It's a toss-up between Richard Armitage and Benedict Cumberbatch. Both are fantastic actors with deep, resonating voices and beautiful British accents. I could watch and listen to them all day.

Why should people come see Lysistrata? It's a classical Greek comedy with a new twist that should appeal to modern audiences. The play combines high-brow principles and low-brow hijinks for 70 minutes of theatrical entertainment.

About the show: Bradley Moore directs his own adaptation of Aristophanes' Lysistrata, as ACT 1 readies its fourth show of the 2015/2016 season, featuring a cast of respected Nashville actors.

According to a synopsis of Moore's adaptation: "When a brave group of women decide to stand up for peace, they find a powerful, yet unlikely strategy to get their own way. They tell their men the sex stops unless they stop fighting. Lysistrata by Aristophanes has been given a modern twist and dropped into a modern-day woman's prison in ACT 1's bold new take on this classic."

Moore's version of Aristophanes' classic play focuses on a group of women in confinement who are fighting for their basic rights and privileges, which have been all but revoked by the Athens Prison authorities while a great territorial war is being fought on the outside. When the free women of the town catch wind of Lysistrata's plan to regain peace on the inside, they join in the crusade by withholding sex themselves to demand peace on the outside. With hugely comedic elements of physical theatre and exaggerated characters, this offbeat adaptation is a vibrant take on an Ancient Greek classic - and there's not a toga in sight.

Moore's cast for the premiere production include Cat Arnold (who starred in August: Osage County for ACT 1, directed earlier this season by Moore) as Lysistrata; Austin Olive as the Magistrate; Terry Occhiogrosso as Lampito; Maggie Pitt as Cleonice; Christen Heilman Runyon as Myrrhine; Michael James Thomas as Cinesias; with Holly Butler, Sarah Shepherd, Megan Blevins, Cate Eunyoung Jo, Philip Boston, Steve Howie and Eric Ventress as the people.

Lysistrata opens March 4, 2016 at the Darkhorse and runs through March 18, with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. For further details - and to purchase tickets - go to www.act1online.com.

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