THE FRIDAY FIVE: Three of ACCC's 12 ANGRY MEN

Jury deliberations get under way tonight in Woodbury as the Arts Center of Cannon County opens its production of the stage classic 12 Angry Men, directed by Terry Deason (who counts among her castmembers her husband, 2015 First Night Honoree Darryl Deason) and running at the theater through October 17.

Former TV and radio personality Aaron Solomon stars alongside a cast filled with familiar faces from the Middle Tennessee theater community, including our two other Friday Five personalities Gerold Oliver and Byron Whiting.

Gerold Oliver

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first taste of live theater was in high school when I played a Ku Klux Klan Member in the production The Foreigner!

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? Before I go onstage for the first time I usually am about to explode with adrenaline. I like to get in a few jumping jacks to keep myself from doing anything crazy!

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? My first speaking role I was Will Parker in Oklahoma! My opening scene I'm supposed to bring on the Little Wonder, a cool new gizmo that I bought in Kansas City, I get onstage and one of the guys asks me about it...only problem is that I left it backstage so we pretty much faked an entire scene...yeah awkward.

What's your dream role? Simple: Simba in The Lion King.

Who's your theatrical crush? Cristin Milioti is my wife. We try to keep it under wraps. Just don't ask her because she has to pretend she doesn't know me.

Aaron Solomon

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? Playing one of the blind children in The Miracle Worker when I was 12 years old.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I do push-ups.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? When I (El Gallo) absolutely clobbered one of my best friends (Todd Turney, [who was] playing Matt) when I accidentally hit him way too hard with was supposed to be a backhand slap in The Fantasticks. It definitely surprised us both and "intensified" the emotion of the scene!

What's your dream role? The Phantom.

Who's your theatrical crush? Bryan Cranston: Amazing!

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. I can cook well (when I want to and have the time).

Byron Whiting

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first memorable "live on-stage" experience was in elementary school (fifth or sixth grade). I was cast as the Prime Minister in a playlet with my two best friends playing the King and Queen. My entrance line was the Queen saying (referring to the Prime Minister) "He curdles my bacon and spoils my eggs." I was hooked for life.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Reviewing my lines in the script, and starting to think as my character thinks.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Actually embarrassing: The late 1950s - Summer Stock in Binghamton, NewYork, playing the dentist with Veronica Lake in Bells Are Ringing. In the middle of the run I had to deliver a car to a place in far eastern New York State. The return trip was lengthened by terrible traffic and I was late getting back to Binghamton, missing my entrance (the first and only time in my theater career). Miss Lake was very gracious and didn't have me blacklisted with Equity (which would have been well within her rights) and at the end of the run gave me a sweetly autographed photo...a treasured memento.

What's your dream role? As many actors will say: the role I'm playing right now. I learned last year that the Arts Center was doing 12 Angry Men, and I really wanted to play the Old Man. The 1957 movie is one of my favorites. I was going to be out of town for the summer when the auditions were held, but the director - Terry Deason - graciously allowed me and one other person to audition early. I was thrilled when I received word that I was cast in the role I wanted to play. The cast she has assembled is top-notch. I'm proud to be part of it.

Who's your theatrical crush? It's hard to pick just one - but forced to narrow the field down - I'd have to say Johnny Depp. He is endlessly versatile - comedy or drama - and like all accomplished actors, he is a shape changer. That is to say, he really embodies the character...an ability that all actors respect. I could say the same about Kevin Klein, as well. (I saw him on Broadway in Cyrano De Bergerac a few years ago. Brilliant!).

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people. Many people are surprised to learn that I am 86 years old. I'm not sure why. There are days when I feel over a hundred, but most of the time I feel the same as I did in my 40s.

• 12 Angry Men, written by Reginald Rose and directed by Terry Deason, opens tonight, October 2 and continues through October 17 at Arts Center for Cannon County in Woodbury. For tickets call (615) 563-ARTS or visit artscenterofcc.com to purchase online.

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