This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 24, 2010 - Sarah Koo has twice watched in wonder as the magic of a musical production filled the Fox Theatre. But the next time the 12-year-old sees the curtain open, she'll be facing the audience instead of the stage.
Sarah is among 12 St. Louis "Muny Kids" performers who will be singing "ding dong, the witch is dead" and other favorite lyrics in their roles as munchkins when the touring production of "The Wizard of Oz" lands at the Fox Nov. 26-28.
In her two-year Muny career, Sarah has acted in "Annie" and "The Sound of Music" in front of audiences as big as those at the Fox. Still, feeling just a "little bit" nervous, she's awed by the prospect of performing at the venerable theater.
"The stage is so big -- it's amazing," Sarah said. "It would just take your breath away. It's almost the same as looking at the Botanical Garden or Carnegie Hall."
Looking forward to the "Oz" role, she can't wait to be on the stage with Glinda the Good Witch and to meet professional careers actors. As for being a munchkin, Sarah is looking forward to embodying her character.
"I get to be cute, bouncy and maybe even puff out my chest to show how proud I am to be a munchkin citizen," Sarah said."
While Sarah is a girl who's sure to go places in life, she already knows what Dorothy discovers during her trip to Oz: "There's no place like home."
"It really is true, because when you're at home you're part of the family, you feel like you're loved and you're safe," Sarah said.
Nancy Fowler Larson writes about theater for the Beacon.
