WASHINGTON (AP) — Arena Stage has cast five young Washington-area students for its upcoming production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” after a unique casting call that was open to the public.

The theater says 11-year-old Ian Berlin, a fifth-grader at Washington’s Maret School will make his professional debut as Winthrop Paroo in the musical. His character is an introverted boy who speaks with a lisp. Also, 9-year-old Heidi Kaplan, a third-grader from Maryland, was chosen for the role of Amaryllis, who tries to capture Winthrop’s attention.

Jamie Goodson, 13, of McLean, Va., was chosen for the role of Gracie Shinn.

The theater also cast Colin James Cech, 14, of Alexandria, Va., and Mia Goodman, 10, a student at Washington International School, as River City kids in the production.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)