Meet Me in St. Louis (musical)
Encyclopedia
Meet Me in St. Louis is a musical based on the 1944 film of the same title
, about a family living in St. Louis, Missouri
on the eve of the 1904 World's Fair
.
The musical varied from the film with additional songs and some additional character development; the focus is not primarily on the character of Esther, as in the film. The musical ran on Broadway
in 1989.
on November 2, 1989 and closed on June 10, 1990, after 252 performances. It was directed by Louis Burke with choreography by Joan Brickhill
.
The show was performed Off-Broadway
by the Irish Repertory Theater in December 2006 through February 2007, with direction by Charlotte Moore (the mother in the Broadway production), choreography by Barry McNabb and sets by Tony Straiges
. The cast featured George S. Irving
as Grandpa Prophater.
The musical has been produced by Musicals Tonight! (New York), in October 2004 the Paper Mill Playhouse
Millburn, New Jersey
in November to December 2007, with Brynn O'Malley as Esther, Gregg Edelman
as Alonso Smith, and Donna English as Anna Smith, and The Muny
, St. Louis in July 2009, with Lewis J. Stadlen
as Grandpa Prophater, Brynn O'Malley as Esther Smith, Max von Essen
as John Truitt and Stephen Bogardus
as Mr. Alonzo Smith.
Act II
The song "Whenever I'm with You" was added for a 1999 revival.
* Songs from the film also in the stage version
As of the late 90's the order of songs was changed, and some were removed. The current version is as follows:
Act I
Act II
Theatre World Award
Meet Me in St. Louis
Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of an American family living in St. Louis at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904...
, about a family living in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
on the eve of the 1904 World's Fair
Louisiana Purchase Exposition
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, informally known as the Saint Louis World's Fair, was an international exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States in 1904.- Background :...
.
The musical varied from the film with additional songs and some additional character development; the focus is not primarily on the character of Esther, as in the film. The musical ran on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1989.
Productions
The musical opened on Broadway at the George Gershwin TheatreGeorge Gershwin Theatre
The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 222 West 51st Street in midtown-Manhattan in the Paramount Plaza building. The theatre is named after composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin...
on November 2, 1989 and closed on June 10, 1990, after 252 performances. It was directed by Louis Burke with choreography by Joan Brickhill
Joan Brickhill
Joan Brickhill is an award-winning South African actress who has worked in radio, theatre, television, and film. She is widely regarded as one of the most talented and respected South African actors of the twentieth century. Together with Louis Burke, Brickhill founded Brickhill-Burke...
.
The show was performed Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
by the Irish Repertory Theater in December 2006 through February 2007, with direction by Charlotte Moore (the mother in the Broadway production), choreography by Barry McNabb and sets by Tony Straiges
Tony Straiges
Tony Straiges is a scenic designer for the stage and ballet. He has designed the sets for some 17 Broadway musicals, plays and specials...
. The cast featured George S. Irving
George S. Irving
George S. Irving is an American actor, known primarily for his character roles on Broadway. Born George Irving Shelasky in Springfield, Massachusetts, he made his debut in the original 1943 production of Oklahoma!, only to be drafted days later to serve in World War II...
as Grandpa Prophater.
The musical has been produced by Musicals Tonight! (New York), in October 2004 the Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse is a regional theatre with approximately 1200 seats, located in Millburn, New Jersey, less than 25 miles from Manhattan. Due to its location, it can draw from the pool of actors who live in New York City. Its location, as well as its focus on producing large-scale shows, makes...
Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 20,149.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
in November to December 2007, with Brynn O'Malley as Esther, Gregg Edelman
Gregg Edelman
Gregg Edelman is an American movie, television and theatre actor.Edelman was born in Chicago, Illinois, attended Niles North High School, where he starred as Lil' Abner opposite future soap star Nancy Lee Grahn, and was trained at Northwestern University...
as Alonso Smith, and Donna English as Anna Smith, and The Muny
The Muny
The Muny, short for The Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis, is an outdoor musical theatre, located in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri...
, St. Louis in July 2009, with Lewis J. Stadlen
Lewis J. Stadlen
Lewis J. Stadlen is an American stage and screen character actor.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York to voice actor Allen Swift, Stadlen studied acting with Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler...
as Grandpa Prophater, Brynn O'Malley as Esther Smith, Max von Essen
Max von Essen
Max von Essen is an American musical theatre actor and vocalist.A son of Rita and Thomas Von Essen, who was the New York City Fire Commissioner during the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, he is the youngest of four children.Von Essen is a 1992 graduate of South Side High School,...
as John Truitt and Stephen Bogardus
Stephen Bogardus
-Biography:Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Bogardus graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall in 1972 and Princeton University in 1976, where he was a member of the Princeton Nassoons and the Princeton Triangle Club.-Career:...
as Mr. Alonzo Smith.
Characters and Broadway cast
- Katie the maid -- Betty GarrettBetty GarrettBetty Garrett was an American actress, comedienne, singer and dancer who originally performed on Broadway before being signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
- Mr. Alonzo Smith -- George HearnGeorge HearnGeorge Hearn is an American actor and singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre.-Early years:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Hearn studied philosophy at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College before he embarked on a career in the theater, training for the stage with actress turned acting...
- Mrs. Anna Smith -- Charlotte Moore
- Grandpa Prophater -- Milo O'SheaMilo O'Shea-Early life:He was born and raised in Dublin and educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street, along with his friend Donal Donnelly.He was discovered in the 1950s by Harry Dillon, who ran the "37 Theatre Club" on the top floor of his shop The Swiss Gem Company, 51 Lower O'Connell Street...
- Alonzo "Lon" Smith Jr. -- Michael O'Steen
- Esther Smith -- Donna KaneDonna KaneDonna Kane is an American theater actress. She was the recipient of the 1986 Theatre World Award for her off-Broadway portrayal of Ruby in Dames at Sea. Kane had her Broadway debut in 1989 in Meet Me in St. Louis, playing the role of Esther. She has won acclaim for her performances in...
- John Truitt -- Jason Workman
- Rose Smith -- Juliet Lambert
- Warren Sheffield -- Peter Reardon
- Sarah Mahala Redway "Tootie" Smith -- Courtney PeldonCourtney PeldonCourtney Peldon is an American television and film actress.-Personal life:Peldon was born in New York City, New York. Her younger sister Ashley Peldon is also an actress...
- Agnes Smith -- Rachael Graham
Songs
Act I- Meet Me in St. Louis
- Be Anything But a Girl
- The Boy Next DoorThe Boy Next Door (song)"The Boy Next Door" is a 1944 popular song by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.It was first introduced in the musical film Meet Me in St. Louis, where it was performed by Judy Garland....
* - Skip to My Lou *
- Under the Bamboo Tree *
- Banjos
- Ghosties and Ghoulies and Things That Go Bump in the Night
- Halloween Ballet
- Wasn't It Fun
- The Trolley SongThe Trolley Song"The Trolley Song" is a song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis...
*
Act II
- Ice
- Raving Beauty
- A Touch of the Irish
- You Are For Loving
- A Day in New York
- The Ball
- Diamonds in the Starlight
- Have Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics, which has become more common than the original. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane...
* - Paging Mr. Sousa
The song "Whenever I'm with You" was added for a 1999 revival.
* Songs from the film also in the stage version
As of the late 90's the order of songs was changed, and some were removed. The current version is as follows:
Act I
- Overture-Instrumental
- Meet Me in St. Louis - Ensemble, Smith Family
- The Boy Next Door - Esther
- Meet Me in St. Louis Reprise - Smith Family
- Whenever I'm With You - Smith Family
- You'll Hear a Bell - Mrs. Smith
- Meet Me in St. Louis Reprise - Smith Family
- A Raving Beauty - Warren, Rose
- Skip To My Lou - Ensemble
- Drunk Song - Tootie
- Under The Bamboo Tree - Esther, Tootie, Agnes
- Over the Banister - John
- Skip To My Lou Reprise-Ensemble
- The Trolley Song - Esther, Ensemble
Act II
- Entr'acte - Instrumental
- Touch Of The Irish - Katie, Rose, Esther
- Boy Next Door Reprise - John, Esther
- A Day In New York - Smith Family
- You'll Hear A Bell (Reprise) - Mrs. Smith
- Wasn't It Fun? - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
- Christmas Waltz - Instrumental
- The Banjo - Ensemble
- Auld Lang Syne - Instrumental
- You Are For Loving - John, Esther
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Esther
- Trolley Song (Reprise) - Ensemble
- Meet Me In St. Louis (Reprise) - All
Awards and nominations
Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
- Best Musical (nominee)
- Best Book of a Musical (Hugh Wheeler) (nominee)
- Best Original Score (Music by Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane; Lyrics by Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane) (nominee)
- Best Choreography Joan BrickhillJoan BrickhillJoan Brickhill is an award-winning South African actress who has worked in radio, theatre, television, and film. She is widely regarded as one of the most talented and respected South African actors of the twentieth century. Together with Louis Burke, Brickhill founded Brickhill-Burke...
(nominee)
Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Jason Workman (winner)