From left, dancer Mason McCloud and actors Jordan and Kieran Brennan, all of Marshall, are among 14 young actors from mid-Missouri who are in the cast of "Big: the Musical" at the Arrow Rock Lyceum. Inclusion in the show is giving them an opportunity to work with professional actors from around the country. (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

"Big: the Musical" opened at the Arrow Rock Lyceum July 12 with four local actors, three of whom are up-and-coming youngsters.

Mason McCloud, 13, son of Vicki and Ed McCloud, Arrow Rock; and three members of the Brennan family -- Jordan, 18, Kieran, 10, and Michael Brennan, who has directed theater productions at Marshall High School since 1995.

The local actors perform in a toy store sequence with the musical numbers, "The Time of Your Life," "Fun," and "Cross the Line."

Mason McCloud appeared this season in "Cats," the popular Broadway musical which opened June 6.

McCloud has been studying dance for years, has won a number of honors and has performed around the country, from Branson to New York.

Jordan Brennan appeared first on the Lyceum stage as an orphan and pickpocket in "Oliver!" in 2002.

His first appearance on stage, however, was in 1996 in the Marshall school system.

Brennan received a number of honors for his acting career at Marshall High School. One accomplishment was performing in all productions during his four-year high school career.

He was named Best Actor for 2008, his senior year, and he was also given the Director's Award, reserved for actors who make special contributions to the program.

He is planning to major in theater in college.

Kieran Brennan is making his first appearance on the Lyceum stage this summer. His first appearance on stage was in 2003 as a Crachitt child in "A Christmas Carol" with the Marshall Community Theater.

Michael Brennan is appearing in three Lyceum productions this season. He was in the second production, "West Side Story," as Officer Krupke and is in the adult ensemble and plays Josh Basking's father in "Big." He is also slated to perform as a police officer in "Arsenic and Old Lace," which opens Aug. 8.

"Big" is the third of three major musicals this year at the Lyceum under Quin Gresham, in his fourth year as the theater's artistic director.

Many of this season's first offerings sold out, so Lyceum staff urge audience members to get tickets well in advance if possible.

After "Big" ends its run Sunday, July 20, the theater will perform "Proof," July 25 through Aug. 3.

Remaining performances of "Big" are Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 19, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m.