After three years of tryouts and cracking high notes, I was finally chosen for the singing ensemble of the St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny). That season we did South Pacific and Man of La Mancha. I earned one half of my card. The following year I was selected again (thank God). The productions were Bitter Sweet, Fiddler on the Roof and Take Me Along with Gene Kelly. I got to hold his leg in one number. This was the big time. I earned the second half of my card. With the advice of Theresa Merritt (Bloody Mary), the key to the kingdom (my card) and $500 (wow!), I headed for New York City. The year was 1974. I never looked back. I didn’t have to, thanks to that card.
