Lara Teeter — the Broadway song-and-dance man whom Muny audiences have enjoyed in shows from "Singin' in the Rain" to "Beauty and the Beast" — will direct Variety Children's Theatre's 2011 production, "The Wizard of Oz."

He knows the show very well; the Scarecrow is one of his signature roles.

Teeter, who heads the musical theater department at Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts, directed last year's Variety production, "Oliver!" "The Wizard of Oz" will play Oct. 21-23 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

"The Wizard of Oz" cast, like the cast of "Oliver!" will have a children's ensemble that includes children with physical and developmental disabilities, as well as adult actors.

Children's auditions will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts Rehearsal Spaces, 17 Old Orchard. Children must be 7 to 16 years old to audition. They'll be asked to dance basic steps and sing eight bars of a song. Bring sheet music — or just sing "Happy Birthday." 

Adult auditions will be held that afternoon, by appointment. To schedule an audition, call Laura Boyle at 314-453-0453, ext. 120.

Proceeds from the show will benefit Variety, a charity with show-business roots that is dedicated to helping children with disabilities.