FIVE more questions for Nashville's FIVE divas

Nashville's show-stopping quintet of captivating, sexy, sultry, uber-talented women of FIVE - known among the intelligentsia as Melodie Madden Adams, Megan Murphy Chambers, Cori Laemmel, Laura Matula and Erin Parker - reclaim the stage Monday, June 27, with Five: An Encore Performance, building on the momentum that started in March with their debut performance at Street Theatre Company.

This time out, the FIVE divas of MAS Nashville (think of it as a Mutual Admiration Society and/or creative collective) are taking to the stage of Nashville's historic Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village, meaning that even more people can see for themselves just what this unpredictable group of driven and ambitious women can bring to the stage.

If, for whatever reason, you didn't make it to FIVE: A Cabaret, the Encore performance will give audiences a chance to witness the bawdy - and, I daresay, critically acclaimed - performances, laugher and thundering ovations that marked the quintet's first efforts - unleashing a veritable renaissance of cabaret in Nashvegas.

"For those who were lucky enough to see FIVE: A Cabaret, the ladies are bringing back all the best from that night as well as a whole lot of new material for your enjoyment, so come on back to see what else the ladies of FIVE have up their sleeves - and shoved into their cleavage," their PR apparatus informs us.

The five women have had a rather busy spring and summer so far, what with Erin Parker (aka Mama) relocated to Abingdon, Virginia, for a season at The Barter Theatre; Cori Laemmel wrangling kids in various theater camps and classes all over town; Melodie Madden Adams posing in retro chic-inspired swimsuits for local periodicals; Megan Murphy Chambers getting all serious in GroundWorks Theatre's The Fall to Earth; and Laura Matula has been pursuing her thriving music career while driving MAS Nashville's P.R. machine...

Luckily, for us, they found time to answer five more questions (in advance of FIVE, they answered five other questions - look it up if you're really interested and missed the earlier story) to give us some scoop on what to expect on the 27^th. Just so you know, if you aren't there you really won't be able to say you're cool at all. Seriously, this is what determines where you rank for the next three months, at least...

Were you surprised by the response from audiences for FIVE?

Erin Parker: Why, yes - which is why we're doing it again! The show took on a life of its own, and I, for one, am happy to be along for the ride.

Megan Murphy Chambers: Surprised, flattered, thrilled, encouraged, inspired...I could go on and on and truly can't wait to do it again. More than anything, it's a joy to know how many people who saw it the first time are coming back. To me, that's the highest praise you can get.

Laura Matula: Not surprised so much as overjoyed that they loved being at the show and got what we were trying to do. More than anything we wanted the audience to have the time of their lives and be as excited to be there as we were! I think that happened and it's such a blessing. Fingers crossed we can pull it off again!

Melodie Madden Adams: I have to admit I was! I thought people would enjoy themselves, but I had no idea people would respond to it the way they did.  When we performed FIVE for the first time, you could actually feel the love vibes that everyone was throwing our way. I will never forget that feeling.

Cori Laemmel: I had no idea what to expect the first time around. I knew that I was blown away by these girls, and so lucky to share a stage with them. I am just so happy that the audience loved them like I do. 

You're in a bigger venue...does that mean bigger egos? Bigger dressing rooms? Bigger demands? And again, I implore you...who's the biggest diva?

Erin: Yes to bigger dressing rooms! Megan has room for her bosom in this venue. Oh - and we have more tickets available this time around, so hopefully we'll get to share the joy of FIVE with some new, unsuspecting victims. I mean...um...audience members. Oh, and I think Russ (our pianist and honorary sixth) might be the biggest diva.

Megan: We're in a bigger venue this time? That's weird - the girls told me to meet them at Street Theatre that night. Anyway, I guess the biggest diva would be my husband, Jack. He asked for a dresser and all he's doing is giving the fire speech.

Laura: Not bigger egos...bigger marketing! And yes, bigger dressing rooms:) It's not the size of the venue that matters though, it's the motion of the...oh wait. Wrong analogy. I would like to also say Street Theatre is incredible and we were so honored they let us host our first show there and hope to return there with future shows as well.

Melodie: Definitely bigger demands. We have a rider now. Speaking of...I better not find any brown M&M's in my bowl!

Cori: Jeffrey Ellis. Oh wait, out of us? Jeffrey Ellis. 

What should we expect from FIVE The Encore that we didn't get in FIVE The Original Show?

Erin: More "special talents" will be unveiled. And some more fun group numbers. And more talking. (In all the right places.) That's what she said...

Megan: I think people are really going to love Cori and Melodie's synchronized swimming number.

Laura: Cats. Lots of cats.

Melodie: Alcohol.

Cori: I have been instructed under threat of eternal shame not to answer this question. 

What's been the biggest challenge you've encountered while putting together the new show?

Erin: My being out town for 95% of the rehearsals is a bit of a challenge, to say the least, but we're leaning heavily on our friend Skype and other rad technologies like "The Emails" and "The Facebook" and "The Youtube."  Living in the future is RAD!

Megan: Probably working around the schedules of some of the busiest gals in Nashville. But, the energy and determination and support and hilarity that's always in the room far outweighs the stress. Someone embroider that on a pillow, stat.

Laura: Well, mama Erin has been out of town so that is definitely a challenge but it just makes us work harder. We want to one up ourselves while still keeping a lot of elements from the first show that was such a success, so figuring out how to do that has taken some creative ingenuity.

Melodie: I would say not having our director in town has been tough, but thankfully we have Skype, email and the internet! Thanks, Al Gore!

Cori: I think being objective about our own performances and knowing how to improve took a lot of thought, but that was the good kind of challenge. Not having Erin here has been the toughest part for everyone. We are a pretty tight family and we miss her. Plus, knowing that I may never see her in her Beauty and the Beast Spoon costume in person breaks my soul.

Okay, I just have to know...where will we find you in FIVE years?

Erin: Mel and I will probably be in rehab, but I'm not sure about everybody else.

Megan: Three words: FIVE IN BRANSON. Move over, Yakov Smirnoff and dog ventriloquists. These bitches are about to take over.

Laura: Somewhere, I hope. 

Melodie: Doing our reunion show MASterpieces.

Cori: Still paying for calling you a diva... 

- FIVE: An Encore Performance, presented by MAS Nashville on Monday, June 27, at 8 p.m. at The Belcourt Theatre, 2101 Belcourt Avenue. Pre-sale tickets are $15 each, $18 at the door the night of the performance. For further details and to purchase your tickets, visit www.masnashville.com; luckily, anyone under 13 will be turned away. Go, grownups!

 

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