The Friday 5: MEMPHIS' Paul, Adcock and Rankins

If this is Friday, then there's got to be a new production opening tonight, right? And sure enough, down in Woodbury - home of the Arts Center of Cannon County - 2015 First Night Honoree Darryl Deason unveils his latest directorial assignment with Memphis, The Musical, starring Melinda Paul (most recently seen onstage in Circle Players' Sister Act) and Michael Adcock (who has performed on stages throughout Middle Tennessee) and an ensemble filled with many local stage veterans (including Quantavius Rankins, who closed Dreamgirls at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts less than a fortnight ago) and newcomers.

Today, our Friday 5 spotlight falls upon Paul, Adcock and Rankins, who give us some insight into what makes them who they are, how they prepare for every theatrical role and who some of their theatrical crushes are...so, read on and then make your reservations before they're all sold out!

Melinda Paul (Felicia)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My earliest theater memory involves playing a singing fox in an elementary school production - furry tail safety-pinned onto brown corduroy pants and everything. Clearly, I peaked early.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? Playlists. Always. Music, of so many genres, has the richest emotional palette to pull from - and pre-show dance parties are a must.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? I shared a role in high school with a girl who was quite a bit bustier than me - and of course, sharing a role meant sharing costumes. Somehow that memo didn't get passed on to the person on corset duty - needless to say, that quick change was wildly unsuccessful so I spent the entire song and dance that followed with one hand behind my back, holding together the ends and praying to God I didn't trip and let go. Would've been a very different show...

What's your dream role? Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde. Kate in The Wild Party. And Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I'd also love to get to originate a role for a new work.

Who's your theatrical crush? I'm a little bit obsessed with Billy Porter right now. I'm forever obsessed with Lillias White. Love Ramin Karimloo, Audra McDonald, and the obvious choice, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see Memphis? This show couldn't be more relevant right now. It's about breaking down racial barriers. It's about love. And, most thrillingly, it's about the music that lived in a very real Dewey Phillips only a handful of decades ago that has been the heartbeat of our nation ever since.

Michael Adcock (Huey)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? The first show I remember attending as a kid was the Rep's A House Divided. My mom had attended high school with one of the actors in the cast, so we went to TPAC to check it out. I fell in love- mostly with the performance of an actor (name unknown to me) playing the role of a slave that eventually turns the gun on his owner. His intensity in that moment made me want to do stage. So...if anyone knows that fella, please, thank him for me. [Editor's note: The role of Moses was played by actor Rudy Robertson in that production of A House Divided; previously, Nashville theater icon Barry Scott created the role in a workshop that was not open to the public.]

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? One shot (1.5 oz) of gazelle's blood. Then I stand on my head and recite One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Actually, I don't think I have any rituals other than: Get there early. Always. And a bit of shadow-boxing in the wings before entering.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? During a performance of It's a Wonderful Life, there was a random blackout during the "I know what I'm gonna do tomorrow and the next day..." bit. Few ways to improv out of that one, so I told Mary that the lamps have had issues lately and we should stroll over to Sycamore lane. So we do...and our lighting booth found us with a spot a few seconds later.

What's your dream role? There are becoming fewer and fewer. Huey (Memphis) was a dream role, and now I'm lucky enough to scratch that one from the list. Burrs in The Wild Party has to be at the top currently, and has been for a few years. Runner-up: Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher.

Who's your theatrical crush? Laura Osnes if we're discussing talent and also making your heart go pitter-patter. Leslie Odom Jr. if we're strictly talking talent. Taylor Novak if we have a mile radius of <25 miles.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see Memphis? I try to do shows that I feel I'd get something out of if I were an audience member. This show in particular I feel I'm more personally attached to. Based in the '50s, it's truly shocking how much of the notable issues are still very much relevant and alive today. My hope is that this show provides perspective through lovable characters, great music, and wonderfully told story. I've wanted to be a part of this story for years and I feel lucky to have the honor of doing so.

Quantavius Rankins (Ensemble)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first theatre experience was eight years ago, I was 12 years old. I played the role of the neighbor in the play adaptation of The Tell-Tale Heart.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? My favorite pre-show ritual is putting in my earbuds and doing my stretching routines. I find that I focus best when I have music. I usually listen to show tunes and/or Beyoncé.

What's your favorite, most memorable, example of "the show must go on"? My junior year of high school I was in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I had a quick change right before my featured dance solo in "Those Canaan Days." During our final tech run my pants were misplaced so I had one of two choices. I could have missed my cue or I could remain faithful to the famous phrase "the show must go on." So a pantless Naphtali pranced onto the stage. Like I mentioned before, it was just our final tech run so luckily our audiences were spared. (But a couple parents weren't as lucky.)

What's your dream role? My dream role is the Leading Player in the tony award-winning musical Pippin.

Who's your theatrical crush? My theatrical crush is without a doubt Jonathan Groff. He's hilarious, handsome, very talented. If his golden vocal chords aren't enough to still your heart, I don't know what is.

EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see Memphis? I believe that people should come see Memphis because it is a beautifully written musical that is very relatable. This musical tells a story of love, acceptance, and change. Which I feel is something that we all desire or have had experience with. You will laugh, you will cry, and you may even find yourself singing along. My castmates are insanely talented and this will be a phenomenal production. Memphis is a show you do not want to miss.

About the show: 2015 First Night Honoree Darryl Deason directs a cast that includes Michael Adcock and Melinda Paul in the Tony Award-winning musical that evocatively captures the feeling of the music scene and life in Tennessee's Bluff City. Memphis: The Musical runs March 11-26, featuring choreography by Regina Wilkerson Ward, with music direction by Robert Hiers.

Memphis is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations, and recording studios of the musically-rich Tennessee city. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol' local boy with a passion for R&B music and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones (Huey's closed-minded mama and Felicia's cautious brother, a club owner), they embark on a dangerous affair. As their careers rise, the relationship is challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of an outside world unable to accept their love.

Performances run March 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. In addition to the two leading players, the cast includes Michael McGee, Jordan McCullough, Quantavius Rankin, Susan Arnold Walsworth, Bill White, Zavior Phillips, Laurie Burger, Sam Wright, Shayna Brown, Maryam Mohammed, Julie Kelley, Eli Ragland, James Bessant, Tim Kelley, Kristin Taylor, Mckenzie Turney, Zoe Mulraine, Toyin Edogun, Mary Grace Bouldin and Alexander Sanford.

Tickets are $15 with discounts available for students and seniors and can be purchased by calling (615) 563-2787 Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or online at www.artscenterofcc.com and (subject to availability) at the door one hour prior to show time.

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