A Muny dream comes true for 13‑year‑old Myles Lacey

Thirteen‑year‑old Myles Lacey has sung in stadiums, on television and at events across the region. But stepping onto The Muny stage this week as part of the youth ensemble for Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations was different. For the first time, he wasn’t there to sing. He was there to act.

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Myles said. “I’ve always wanted to be a Muny kid.”

On Monday night, he made his acting debut in the Muny’s first‑ever production of Ain’t Too Proud. It was the moment he finally joined the ranks of the young performers he has admired for so long this year.

“It feels amazing going out there every night,” he said. “It’s been an honor to become a Muny kid.”

Myles has been coming to Muny shows for years. Now he is part of the history he used to watch from the seats. He said the experience has been everything he imagined — and more.

“It was really exciting to step on that stage because this is something I have always wanted to do,” he said. “There are so many great actors and actresses in the show. Meeting them and them telling me what to do and how to do it is just incredibly fun and exciting.”

His castmates have guided him from the first rehearsal.

“They told me not to stress out and to have fun,” Myles said. “And while they tell me to have fun, I’ve watched them have such professionalism.”

Myles is no stranger to performing. His parents say he could sing before he could talk. His father, Keion Lacey, remembers the moment they realized it.

“He was eight months old on his great‑grandmother’s lap and started humming to the music he heard,” Keion said. “And he was on key. My wife and I were like, ‘Wait a minute, there’s something there.’”

That “something” has carried Myles across stages throughout St. Louis and beyond. His favorite song to sing is Michael Jackson’s “Who’s Loving You.”

“I just love how he sings it,” Myles said. “Of course I put my own rhythm into it.”

But acting has opened a new lane for him. His favorite part of the show is dancing during the finale moment and helping Otis (portrayed by James T. Lane) with his jacket. His favorite song in the production is “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”

“This is the lifetime story of The Temptations,” he said. “If they don’t already know about The Temptations, this would be a good show for them to learn the history. And the cast is so talented.”

His parents are in the audience every night.

“We’ve seen it every night since last Sunday (for the dress rehearsal),” his mother, Kenya Lacey, said. “Each night we find something different to enjoy. We thought the show couldn’t get any better after the first night, but it keeps getting stronger.”

They said watching Myles on stage has been overwhelming — in the best way.

“We are extremely proud of Myles,” Keion said. “As one of the youngest cast members in the show, it’s just amazing.”

The family agrees that “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” is their favorite moment in the production, with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” close behind. Kenya said the audience response each night has been powerful.

“Each night we have gone, we see people of all races, cultures and backgrounds having an amazing time,” she said. “We are just so honored that Myles was chosen for the part — and the blessing of it all is watching all these people enjoy the show.”

Keion said he has been especially moved by Nick Rashad Burroughs’ portrayal of David Ruffin.

“He embodied that character,” Keion said. “I just love his performance.”

Kenya said the story of The Temptations resonates because it shows what perseverance looks like.

“There are always going to be hardships — good days and bad days — but you just have to go with it,” she said.

That message mirrors what she and Keion tell Myles.

“You have to persevere at whatever you decide to do in life,” Keion said. “Take the good with the bad and keep following your dreams. Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do.”

When he returns to school in a few weeks, Myles will be an eighth grader at All Saints Academy. But for now, he is focused on giving his all for the show’s final performance.

“I hope that they love it,” he said.

The Muny’s presentation of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations continues through Sunday, August 2. For more information, visit muny.org.