Thursday 5(+1): Jena Salb & Jason Scott from The Keeton's 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Opening tonight at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson is the uproarious musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which seems an appropriate choice for a theater company which makes its home in what used to be a school.

Directed by Suzanne Spooner-Faulk, with musical direction by Jane Kelley and choreography by Cary Street, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee takes a look at the uber-competitive world of elementary school spelling bees. Running October 11-27, The Keeton's production of Spelling Bee is a dinner theater presentation, with dinner served beginning at 5:45 p.m., prior to the show's curtain at 7 p.m.

Today, just in time for their show's opening, two cast members - Jason Scott, who plays the self-involved Chip Tolentino, and Jena Salb, who is cast as former champion Rona Lisa Peretti, step up to the microphone to answer our Thursday 5(+1) questions and to offer the suggestion that a revival of Legally Blonde: The Musical might be a good consideration for next season at The Keeton.

Read on...then call up the Keeton box office at (615) 883-8375 for reservations or go online at www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org for further details about their 2018-19 season.

Jason Scott (Chip Tolentino)

What was your first "live, onstage" taste of theater? The first thing I remember doing onstage was a church performance of a show called Esther-day when I was around seven or eight years old. My character was a scribe named Xerox. And no, I did not understand that awful pun at the time.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I don't necessarily know if it is a considered a ritual, but starting at dress rehearsal and running through all of the performances, we have a sign in sheet to let the director know that we've made it to the theatre. Instead of just initialing the sheet like a normal person, I always like to put either a phrase from the script, a small doodle, or in the case of this show, a funny word that my cast mates will have to look up in order to find the definition.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Pretty much every answer I can think of here revolves around me getting injured in some form or fashion. Many a show has been performed on rolled and sprained ankles.

What's your dream role? For the longest time, I probably would have said Fiyero from Wicked. But at this point in my life, I'd love to get a crack at Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Who's your theatrical crush? Ben Platt and Lin Manuel Miranda.

Why should people come see THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE? The simple answer is that this show is undeniably hilarious. Everyone could use a good laugh these days and there are plenty to be had in this one. However, I think people will be surprised at how much of themselves they may see within the characters on stage.

Jena Salb (Rona Lisa Peretti)

What was your first "live, onstage" taste of theater? I grew up in a really small town in southern Indiana where we only had 1 community theater. My mom and grandma would take me to see the summer show every year. I loved those nights but the first show I really remember, was going to Louisville to see Marie Osmond in The Sound of Music. That night stuck with me and has forever been my favorite musical. After that night I begged to audition for a show, but it wasn't until middle school that the bug really bit me we did Disney's Cinderella and I was one of the blue birds.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I've never really been a ritualistic person. I try to talk very little on show days, but I'm not very good at it.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Annie Get Your Gun was my first full scale show. I was in eighth grade and part of the ensemble. At the first dress rehearsal, I had on shoes that were too big and fell up the stairs. I was so embarrassed and even more so when the director called my name during notes. He loved my fall and wanted me to do it every night. I took that moment and ran with it. It was the first time that I realized mistakes can be better than what you had planned.

What's your dream role? Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. I'm quickly realizing that I am aging out of this role, but it's called a dream role for a reason, right?

Who's your theatrical crush? Jeremy Jordan *swoon*

Why should people come see THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE? Spelling Bee is a great coming of age story where I think everyone can relate to at least one of the absurd characters on some level; whether it's the quiet girl that just likes to read, the perfectionist, the pollical activist, or the one that just never grew up (that's me). Most importantly though, the show is just laugh out loud funny and who doesn't need a night to just grab a glass of wine and laugh?