Local kids star as Munchkins in Chicago production

Earning roles in the touring production of "The Wizard of Oz" already feels like a big break to suburban youngsters Matthew Rice, Kevin Gallagher, Zachary Keller and Josie Mercado.

They play Munchkins in the show, which opens tonight, April 30, at the Chicago Theatre. We caught up with these aspiring stars a few weeks ago to chat about what it's like under the bright lights in the big city.

Matt Rice

Matt Rice's big break sounds like the plot of a musical: An actor drops out of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's "A Christmas Carol" and producers tap Rice - then in second grade - to replace him. The rest is history.

"I've been hooked on theater ever since," said the 11-year-old Buffalo Grove resident.

"Acting is just so much fun," he said. "When you're in a show, everyone is so friendly - By the time the show's over, the actors are your friends."

Performing means giving up his free time and occasionally missing school says Rice, who is especially worried about missing algebra.

"Algebra is even more stressful than acting," he said.

But the sacrifices are worth it.

"It will be amazing," said Rice, whose favorite part of the show is when he and the other Munchkins sing "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead."

Even better for this dog lover is the chance to meet and pet Toto.

"I'm looking forward to it already," he said.

Kevin Gallagher

Kevin Gallagher has quite a resume for an 11-year-old.

In the two years since he first stepped on stage in a school production of "Seussical Junior," the Lake Zurich resident has appeared in more than a half dozen shows, including Metropolis' "Bleacher Bums."

A few years ago, Gallagher sang with the Barrington Children's Choir. Last year, he played viola with his school's orchestra and this year he played trumpet in the band and studied voice.

He auditioned for "The Wizard of Oz" after he heard his friend Zachary Keller was auditioning.

"Zach and I have done a lot of acting together so I thought I'd do it too," Gallagher said.

The boys support each other even when competing for the same roles.

"We cheer each other on," said Gallagher, "it doesn't matter who gets the role."

After two years, Gallagher says he's more excited than nervous when he goes on stage.

"I always think, 'I'm going to try to do my best,' and if I do the best I can, I'll always come out on top."

Zachary Keller

"The Wizard of Oz" isn't the first big budget show in which Zachary Keller got cast. But it's the first one he'll actually perform in. The 10-year-old Lake Zurich actor got cast in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," but the show was canceled before rehearsals started.

Zachary developed his interest in acting from his older brother, Austin.

"I watched a play he was in and I really liked it," said Keller who began performing in school plays about a year ago and appeared last summer in a production of "My Fair Lady."

He plays a government official in "The Wizard of Oz," a "neat, well-dressed sort of guy who's sharp with his words." His favorite part of the show is when the flying monkeys spirit Dorothy away; his favorite song is "The Lollipop Guild."

The show has yet to open, but Keller's already thinking about his future.

"I'd really like to do this later on in life," he said.

Josie Mercado

Last year Josie Mercado played a Chihuahua in a school production of "101 Dalmatians." This year, she plays a Munchkin.

Things are definitely looking up for the 10-year-old Aurora resident.

"It's nice to play a real person," said Mercado, a relative newcomer who began acting last year and whose resume includes a commercial.

She admits getting nervous before an audition, and says she deals with it by pretending the director and producer aren't there.

"The most fun thing is when I get the part," said Mercado.

Along with performing, the busy girl also finds time for homework, choir and piano lessons as well as basketball, soccer and karate.

Acting means sometimes missing school, but that's OK with Mercado who says she'd rather be performing than in a classroom.

"If people see my resume, they'll see I'm experienced," she said.

"The Wizard of Oz"

The show runs through Sunday, May 3, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Tickets are $45 to $75. For showtimes and ticket availability call (800) 745-3000 or check thechicagotheatre.com.