Review: Meet Me in St. Louis at The Village Theatre
For the first time, The Village Theatre is producing the classic play Meet Me In St. Louis. Director Steve Tomkins has a long history with The Village, directing and choreographing numerous other production including the most recent Chasing Nicolette. He is capably assisted by Music Director Tim Symons, whose last season holiday production of Beauty and the Beast won a Seattle Times Footlight Award.
This latest production is based upon the the 1944 MGM film starring the fabulous Judy Garland. It was a hit and one of the most popular films during World War II. And you can understand why, since it shows such a delightful family life and values that the war was being fought for and held special meaning for America. The film is still considered by many to be one of the best loved and top 100 films of all time.
The play takes place in St. Louis, Missouri in 1903 and moves through the seasons until 1904 when the St. Louis World’s Fair opens. The Smith family, with mother, father, four daughters and one son, hold much anticipation as they look forward to the opening of the big event in St. Louis.
But this story is about the two oldest daughters falling in love and the upheavel which rocks the boat when their father needs to move to New York. This all is presented in beautiful words and songs by a delightful cast. The role of Esther Smith, performed by the talented Ryah Nixon, is marvelouse to watch.
The show stealer has to be Analiese Emerson Guettinger, who plays the youngest daughter Tootie. The timing and delivery of her lines is so believable. Her father indicates that she’s not in school yet, hoping when she’s old enough the school will accept her. But you can understand why it may be questionable since she’s such a young little rascal.
The staging of this classic musical has all of the elements that work, from the large cast who sing some of the most enchanting songs ever written such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to the rousing and foot tapping “The Trolley Song” and the well known “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The dance number for “The Trolley Song” stands out as just one of the impressive numbers that is a treat for the audience. This turn of the century play is set in a very nice Victorian House, with a much used porch and a window seat set right next to the house.
Meet Me in St. Louis is a wonderful holiday outing for the whole family and plays at The Village Theatre’s Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah through January 3, 2010 and then up at Everett Performing Arts Center from January 8 – 31, 2010. Tickets start at just $17 and are 1/2 off for students 30 minutes prior to the show. Also, check out The Village Theatre’s subscription night for “Young Professionals” called CURTAIN CALL. For more info and tickets, visit www.villagetheatre.org.
– Ethel W.
Here’s Judy, in all her glorious beauty back in 1944, asking you to make the Yuletide gay:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo
