This weekend, Asheville Lyric Opera takes a break from Mozart and Bizet to tackle Bernstein. Just as in the original 1957 production, ALO's singers won't be using microphones as they perform Leonard Bernstein's intricate score and present lyrics by none other than the legendary Stephen Sondheim. It was my pleasure to chat with the fantastic Katherine Sandoval Taylor, a Nashville-based soprano who plays Maria in ALO's West Side Story. An Asheville native, Sandoval Taylor holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from New England Conservatory and Furman University, respectively, and is active nationally in oratorio, concert, musical theater, and opera performances. She has returned to Asheville area stages over the past few years for roles such as Clara in A Light in the Piazza and Anne in A Little Night Music, both with Southern Applachian Repertory Theatre, as well as concert appearances across WNC.   What are your feelings about being in a venerable piece of musical theatre like West Side Story, especially in a role like Maria? For me, Maria in West Side Story is the quintessential dream role I have been waiting my whole life to perform. Of course, then, for an artist the fear is that once the opportunity is presented the experience will not live up to all the expectations you have built up over the years. I can honestly say that this dream team - this cast, this director, this conductor, and this choreographer - are over-exceeding my expectations. Every single person involved is 200%, fully committed to making this the most affective production we can possible present. The cherry on top is that I'm able to do this dream show in my hometown! Somebody pinch me. You have had the opportunity to play some of your dream roles. What's it like living a dream? "Living the dream" is an incredibly rewarding mixed bag of pure bliss, sweat, tears, and incredible sacrifice. I think sometimes there is a misconception that the life of a performing artist is mostly curtain calls, lavish dressing rooms, and extended stays at the Ritz Carlton. And while the ultimate payoff, the audience reaction to a beautifully crafted production, can be euphoric, great pride comes in the little things: the long nights huddled studying a script, dance rehearsals feeling way over my head, and marathon tech rehearsals during which the finishing touches are put on every detail. From the highest of highs, taking the bows, to the humblest of moments, plunking out notes on the keyboard, I am so proud to be living this dream.  How does the experience of performing musical theatre differ from classical music? The truth is, West Side Story, composed by Leonard Berstein, is very operatic. So, although technically labeled as a musical, the nature of the music is all very classical, which is why so many opera companies have started doing the show. Performing this work with Asheville Lyric Opera guarantees the music is the utmost priority, which is ideal for me coming from a classical background. Probably the only thing I dislike about performing this show with an opera company is the short run. We have only three local performances before taking the show on tour, whereas with a regional theatre you might have four weeks of performances. And I hear we are getting close to selling out. Get your tickets fast! What was your first performance memory? Was it in Asheville? It was! And it's funny because it's a story I tell many of my voice students when they go through the audition/casting process. Everyone has to start somewhere. My first "real" show was Gypsy with Asheville Community Theatre; I was probably 7 or 8 years old and the cast was phenomenal. This wasn't a typical "community theatre" production. For example I remember being starstruck by the actress playing Dainty June who was a ballerina studying at Julliard. I personally didn't even have enough experience to play the balloon girl, so I was third child actor from the left in the opening scene. It was the first time I realized that people actually go on to study the performing arts and making a living out of it and it might be something I could do one day. What is it like being able to return to Asheville semi-regularly as a professional performer? It's wonderful. I'm so incredibly lucky to be from an area that has so many professional performing opportunities! I have had the honor of working with nearly every other professional company and venue in WNC - Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, Asheville Bravo!, The Altmont Theatre, etc. Asheville Lyric Opera has always been a bucket list company for me and I'm thrilled to be a part of this production. Let's say we were in a time warp and you could give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice. What would you say? Performing advice? Be a sponge. Learn from your colleagues, your teachers, your directors, and your conductors, and soak up everything they do and say. No matter how experienced you become, performing artists need to maintain a student's mentality, open to the possibility of learning from everyone around you. Don't ever think of yourself as an expert, but that others around you might be. Every performing experience is an opportunity to learn something new and better yourself as an actor, a musician, and as an artist. Life advice? Floss. Use a good moisturizer. And only drink good tequila. -- West Side Story will be performed at Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available online via Diana Wortham Theatre's box office. Click here for more information on Asheville Lyric Opera and this production.