BWW Interviews: Mysterious Skin's ANGELA GIMLIN Takes on The Friday Five

Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state.

Today, the spotlight falls upon Angela Gimlin, who is appearing this weekend in the debut work from Nashville's Kirk-Burgess Productions: Prince Gomolvilas' play Mysterious Skin, based on the Scott Heim novel of the same name, that weaves together the interconnected stories of two young men, each struggling to overcome his horrific past. Angela, whose versatility is obvious in the production, plays the distant mother of one of the boys' and a surly Little League functionary who simply doesn't want to be bothered.

In September, Angela Gimlin joins the Red Carpet Team for the 2012 First Night Honors, lending her wacky sense of humor and ready wit to the pre-show fun for the event to be held at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday, September 2. The Red Carpet Event kicks off the evening's festivities at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, you can see her dramatic side for yourself this weekend in Mysterious Skin, which continues through Saturday night at Darkhorse Theatre. Mysterious Skin ticket sales benefit John Lasiter's "Into Africa" Mission Fund. For information, email MSkin@ltkirk.com.

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I have been "entertaining" and forcing my little sister and younger cousins to be part of shows I wrote, directed, and starred in since I was about five. The audience was family, but still...I think my real on-stage performance was playing a candy cane in the school Christmas play.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Getting "break legs" texts from my boyfriend, Jeff. He is my biggest fan and supporter. Every actor needs a Jeff (Ward and/or Ellis).

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? When I did ACT 1's A Midsummer Night's Dream-and John Devine already had a supporting role-and he stepped into the part of Oberon last minute. He had his script in his hands opening night, but the show went on and he did a fabulous job. It was my first real acting experience in Nashville and it showed me how wonderful the people in the local theater community can truly be.

What's your dream role? Any role? TV/movie/stage or otherwise? There are too  many to list! Desdemona, Christine Daae, Scarlett O'Hara, Elphaba, Grizabella, Hairspray's "Penny" ... (I truly could go on and on and on..)

Who's your theatrical crush? Probably all of the men brave enough to play opposite me...Hugh Britt, Marcus Lackey, Carlos Garcia,  John Michnya, Will Butler, William Keathley, E. Roy Lee, Daniel Vincent, Michael Adcock, Jim Campbell, John Mack Green, etc.