by KYW's Paul Kurtz
The Disney organization was in town on Wednesday for an open casting call at the University of the Arts, looking for someone to play Ariel in the Broadway version of "The Little Mermaid."
Many of the hopefuls were students at the University of the Arts. Others drove in from Virginia, Ohio, or other far-off states, with dreams of Broadway and stardom:
"I feel this is the type of part I would be cast for. So, hopefully we'll see how it goes."
Nineteen-year-old Brie Elbaum (second from right above, in olive blouse) drove all the way from Petersburg, Va. to take a crack at a role she's dreamed of playing since she was a little girl:
"I thought it would be a perfect part for me. I've got red hair and everything."
On this day, casting director Jennifer Rudin (right) heard more than 90 girls sing a small but difficult portion of a song.
"It lands on a high E, that's the highest note. And if they can do it well here, they can go on and learn more material from the show."
For Rudin, Philadelphia is just one stop on a two-week tour of America in search of the next Ariel.
(Photos by KYW's Paul Kurtz)
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