Vernell wins ‘Toto’ spot after auditions
The “Toto Audition” was held this week at the Playhouse with the two young ladies playing Dorothy, Lindsay Tranberg and Cady Kington of Crossville, were left to decide. Both girls chose Vernell owned by Blake Davis who is playing The Tinman in Oz. Tranberg, Kington, and Davis are students of the renowned Cumberland County Playhouse Dance and Theater Education Program.
“The strength of the Playhouse’s Dance and Theater Education Program has never been more evident than in the performances of many Crossville and area teens who starred alongside seasoned Broadway and national professionals in CATS, the biggest play in Playhouse history since 1965,” said Jim Crabtree, producing director.
Meanwhile, Toto (Vernell) went into his first Oz rehearsal on stage Wednesday with the Adult and Teen company of about 35-plus people. Vernell walked in, sniffed around, walked to the center of the room, and right in the middle of all of those strangers, laid down and went to sleep. “A star is born. The Playhouse is very happy to add Vernell to the Playhouse family,” said Crabtree.