Muny tryouts draw 1,000 kids

Melissa Needles, Claire Krusie and Julia Boudreau (left to right)

Julia Boudreau, Claire Krusie and Melissa Needles were among the first-timers at last month's auditions for The Muny's summer season. They had lots of company; 1.000 kids showed up.

The 13-year-olds Parkway Central Middle School friends came to auditions together.

But, the auditions had "veterans" also. Thirteen-year-old Brittany Smith was on hand for her fifth audition. She won parts in Muny plays for the last four summers.

Just before the kids' auditions, The Muny announced the seven shows for its 86th season in Forest Park. Three of the shows will have a number of spots for kids, according to marketing director Laura Peters Reilly.

Those shows will be "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Annie" and "Music Man." A fourth show, "42nd Street," will have roles for older teens. Other shows on the 2004 schedule include "Cats," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Guys and Dolls."

Brittany Smith

The three Parkway Central first-timers were interested in qualifying for any of the shows.

But, Brittany Smith was hoping to earn a part in "Annie." She had appeared as an orphan in a previous "Annie" in an earlier Muny season. She also had performed in three other Muny plays, "Sound of Music," "Wizard of Oz" and "Cinderella."

Ten-year-old Susan Mandelker was another "veteran" of Muny auditions. This was her fourth time. But, it was the first time she hadn't come with her older sister, 12-year-old Alison.

Alison has dropped out of singing and dancing this year in favor of soccer. She's a member of a select soccer team and decided to bypass the Muny auditions this year.

Susan is also a member of the Muny Kids organization. That's a select group that puts on short variety performances to publicize The Muny. Last December, she performed at the Governor's Ball in Jefferson City.

Susan Mandelker

Twelve-year-old Brett Clark was another first-time performer at the auditions. He said his voice teacher, Nancy St. James, "thought the auditions would be a good experience."

All six of the kids had hopes of a career in acting, singing or dancing.

But, several had other plans if their entertainment career plans didn't work out.

Julie Boudreau said she wanted to be a movie actress when she grew up although "I know it takes a lot of work."

"I don't want to give up my dream. But, I want to go to college so I'll have something to fall back on if acting doesn't work," she said.

Claire Krusie said she wants to get parts at the Muny and The Fox Theatre before moving up. "But, if I can't do that, I'd like to be a pediatrician," she said.

Brittany Smith wants to be a dancer or actor on Broadway. But, she's also thinking about being a pharmacist.

Even first-timers at Muny auditions have plenty of singing, dancing and acting experience.

Brett Clark

Brittany said she's had dance lessons for 10 years. In addition to her four previous Muny performances, she's also in the chorus at school. Her younger brother, 8-year-old Patrick, was in a play at the Fox when he was four.

Julia Boudreau said she was in community theater when she lived in Green Bay, Wis. Since moving to St. Louis, she's been in her school and church choirs. She's also auditioned for a part in "Oklahoma," to be performed at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.

Claire Krusie also has performed at the Jewish Center and at the Chesterfield YMCA.

Melissa Needles said she had sung in a choir since she was seven and danced since she was five. "I wanted to audition for the Muny last year but I wasn't prepared. This year, I took vocal lessons so I was ready," she said.

Susan Mandelker has had dancing lessons for four years. She began singing lessons last year. She's a veteran of three previous Muny performances.

Brett Clark is now a sixth grader at Chaminade Preparatory School. He's tried out for a part in a part in a dramatic play, "Fools." In his previous school, he had parts in a number of Broadway musicals staged there.

"Also, in physical education there, we had a month of dancing," he said. Most was jazz dancing, "with some tap," he added.

For more about The Muny, you can go to its website at www.muny.com.