LETTERS: MUNY SHOW HAS CAPE CONNECTIONS

To the editor:

St. Louis Muny Opera still ranks at the top as outstanding entertainment. The 1999 summer in Forest Park, marking the Muny's 81st season, certainly supports this claim, especially the final show, "Meet Me in St. Louis." The music, acting, sets, costumes and choreography were superb.

A special treat for Girardeans attending opening night was the excellent performances of two cast members who have Cape Girardeau roots. Jo Sullivan Loesser and daughter, Emily Loesser, were outstanding in their roles as Mrs. Smith and daughter Esther, the latter enacting the character Judy Garland portrayed in the movie. Their star-quality voices charmed the audience with renditions of "The Boy Next Door," "Under the Bamboo Tree," "The Trolley Song," "You'll Hear a Bell" and the perennial favorite, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Jo Sullivan will be remembered for her legendary performance as Rosabella in the landmark Frank Loesser Broadway musical, "The Most Happy Fella." For many years, Jo's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hessie Sullivan, made their home here on Robin Hood Circle. Jo married composer Frank Loesser and left the stage for 17 years, devoting herself to her husband and to raising their daughters, Hannah and Emily. After his death, she returned to performing in 1977, honoring her husband with the highly acclaimed salute to him at the famed Ballroom in New York City. Since then, she has performed in numerous shows around the country and is busy with current projects, including a new musical revue of Loesser's songs called "Heart and Soul."

I hope Jo and Emily will return to the Muny stage in future productions.

JO ANN BOCK

Cape Girardeau