Marlboro actress, 12, gets ready for Broadway debut
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

Jillian Mueller

MARLBORO - Jillian Mueller was still in diapers when she decided what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Jillian, 12, a pupil at the Marlboro Middle School, was only 1 when she told her mother, Denise, that she wanted to be an actress.

"She was born that way. She's so passionate and driven," Mueller said when asked how her daughter got into acting.

When Jillian was 3 she began taking dance lessons at Center Stage, Marlboro; she is currently taking lessons at the Dance Stop, Parlin. At the age of 7, Jillian started taking acting lessons and a year after that she began voice lessons at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, Marlboro.

Jillian has been trying to achieve her goal of being an actress by getting involved in community theater projects. She has performed with the Marlboro Players, in school plays, at the Eatontown Playhouse, at the Marlboro Recreation Select Theater, in summer camp plays and with Phoenix Productions at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank.

"Since I was in diapers I always wanted to [act]. I enjoy it and it's something I always loved to do," Jillian said. "I love singing, dancing and acting all equally."

Mueller said she and her husband, Bill, support their daughter's desire to become an actress.

"We're very supportive because we can see her love for it. She's so focused and determined," she added.

Jillian's dream will come true when she steps on the Broadway stage at the Hilton Theater, New York, on Oct. 25. In August, the youngster was cast as part of the children's ensemble in the Broadway show "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." The holiday musical will be performed from Oct. 25 through Jan. 7.

Mueller said she and her husband are "absolutely thrilled" that Jillian got the part.

"Jillian worked very hard for this. It's very satisfying to see her achieve her goal because this is definitely a dream come true," Mueller said.

Bill Mueller said it is really special that Jillian got cast in the show without an agent.

Denise said her daughter had to "sing and dance her butt off" during several auditions prior to being cast.

Jillian said she was very excited to learn that she landed a part in the show. She said the experience of being part of a Broadway musical has been incredible and she is looking forward to performing.

As a member of the children's ensemble, which is a group of youngsters who live in the town where the story takes place, Jillian said she will be on stage for about five musical numbers. She was also cast as the understudy for a lead role of Annie Who.

When asked if she is nervous about performing on Broadway, Jillian said it is just a bigger stage and a bigger audience than the community shows in which she has previously appeared.

"It's gotten to the point where no matter how big the audience is I'm not nervous," the youngster added.