Local Girl, 7, To Perform In Broadway Tour Of 'Once'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A lot of kids dream of being on Broadway someday, but very few make it.
Now, a Mount Lebanon girl is heading off to New York to begin performing in a Broadway tour of the musical "Once."
Kolette Tetlow is just 7-years-old and could be confused with Cosette, singing the part of the young girl in "Les Miserables."
Kolette is rehearsing with her voice coach for three call-back auditions to play big roles on Broadway.
She spent a lot of time in New York City last spring auditioning.
Now, she'll be heading back to learn her part in "Once" -- the Tony Award-winning best musical of 2012 before touring for six months.
Kolette's brother, Keaton, 5, and sister Korrine, 2, will be traveling with her and her mother, Karly.
The production provides a tutor for Kolette, and she'll have what's called a "wrangler" with her at all times backstage since her mom is not allowed.
They're looking forward to traveling from Toronto to Orlando.
"Swimming in the hotel pools and going to zoos and seeing all the museums is going to be fun," Kolette said.
Erin Kesser is a voice instructor at the Center for Theater Arts in Mount Lebanon. She said she's just drawing out Kolette's natural ability.
"She can go always to high F and down to low B, which is very big for a little girl her age, it's ridiculous. It's just born in her. You can't teach that," Kesser said.
Kolette started singing even before she could talk and was on stage by age 5.
"No matter where we were, she would sing . She had no fear. She would get on stage at restaurants and sing at open mike nights," Karly said.
"It's just so natural for her. She doesn't have to try. She loves to learn more and more. And she's so intelligent. I can only see her going to Broadway. The sky's the limit for her," Kesser said.
Kolette said she'll miss her dad and her dogs and cats while she's on tour, but she has plans for the money she'll be making.
"Well, I'm saving up for a convertible," she said. "A nice red one."
But, it's being on stage that's the real pull.
"It makes people happy," she said.
Kolette will be back in Pittsburgh to perform the show in March.\
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