Abby Nichols plays Polly Baker, the only woman living in Deadrock, Nevada. Find out more about Abby and Polly below!
Have you performed with Middleton Players Theatre before?
I have done one other MPT show which was West Side Story in 1999. Crazy For You is my first one since then. I auditioned for this season because I've always wanted to play Polly, and I wanted to get back in the game after having a baby last summer.
What do you enjoy about your character Polly Baker?
She's a tough cookie! She has no trouble standing up for herself, but she also has a soft side. She's really a bit crazy and schizophrenic, but that's fun to play!
What is your favorite part of the rehearsal process?
Running the whole show for the first time. It's scary and invigorating, and you really see it start to come together. It's hard for me to truly find my character and know what I still need to work on until I do the entire show in sequence. Once we start running the show, the worrying stops and the fun begins!
What do you do when you're not performing?
I teach an early childhood music program called Music Together, and I teach private voice lessons. I also have a four year old and a one year old who keep me very busy!
What would you like audiences to know about this show?
It is one of the goofiest shows I've ever done, but it has some of the most beautiful music. Audiences will probably recognize many of the wonderful Gershwin songs -- "Someone To Watch Over Me," "You Can't Take That Away From Me," "I Got Rhythm," etc. -- but they are all strung together in a fresh, surprising, hilarious way.
What is your strangest theatre experience?
When I was a freshman my high school did Anything Goes. I was in the ensemble, but my boyfriend at the time played the lead role of Billy. My older sister played the role of Hope, who is Billy's love interest. So... my boyfriend had to kiss my sister on stage!
What is your favorite theatre memory?
Working with my husband Jace is always a treat. We met during Thoroughly Modern Millie so that show stands out in my mind. Then a few months after we were married he directed me in Next to Normal, which was another stand out theatre experience. I don't have any really specific memories to share about those shows, but I always remember them fondly.