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player ready...Warm nostalgia flows through “Meet Me in St. Louis,” a holiday production that will be staged at the historic Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
The musical runs Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 11, at the venue, which dates back to the 19th century.
Based on the film of the same name that starred Judy Garland, “Meet Me in St. Louis” takes audiences back to the early 1900s, as the Smith family finds itself in the midst of the joyous anticipation surrounding the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Starring as Esther Smith is Kelli Manigrasso of Crown Point.
Manigrasso plays the part that Garland played in the 1944 movie, which features the jaunty song “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis.”
There is an air of vibrancy to the character of Esther Smith.
“Esther, I think, is as spunky of a girl as you can be in 1903,” Manigrasso said.
The actress said Esther is romantically pursuing a neighbor. “The boy next door is John Truett,” she said.
A mezzo soprano, Manigrasso sings “The Trolley Song” in the production.
“It is a pretty happy song,” she said of the buoyant tune that earned a Best Original Song nomination from the Academy Awards.
The trolley is bound for the fairgrounds that are under construction for the joyous event.
The streetcar carries a love-happy Esther who hopes to connect with her dream guy.
“The Trolley Song” boasts zesty lyrics: “Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings.”
The colorful tune captures the spirit of the scene.
“It kind of mirrors the excitement of the day,” Manigrasso said.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” follows a year in the life of the Smith parents and their daughters Esther, Rose, Agnes and Tootie — plus son Lon.
Promotional material from the Opera House assures that its production is filled with “romantic suitors, comedic misunderstandings and jovial pranks,” in addition to a timeless score that includes “The Boy Next Door” and the beautifully sentimental “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
In addition, there is “A Day in New York.”
With romanticized flair that casts an inviting glow on turn-of-the-century life, “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a coveted project for Manigrasso.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s lighthearted.”
Tugging at emotions, “Meet Me in St. Louis” holds appeal because it seemingly hearkens back to “a much simpler time,” according to director Deborah Trembicki-Haddad.
“You can’t help but smile the whole time you’re watching it,” she said.
However, a community-theater production of “Meet Me in St. Louis” may have the shadow of the beloved Judy Garland movie hovering over it.
“That’s the memory that everybody has,” Trembicki-Haddad, 35, said.
While staying true to the spirit of the 1944 movie and presenting its memorable scenes, the director said she wants to also assure that Memorial Opera House gives the stage production “our own take.”
Guiding a cast that she estimates at about 25, Trembicki-Haddad notes that the musical contains songs that are not in the movie.
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And although the musical does not have the film’s exact storyline, the similarities are substantial.
“It follows the same plot, for the most part,” the director said.
Additionally, the memorable songs from the Garland film remain, as an orchestra will accompany the singing cast members.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” has music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.
The musical’s book is by Hugh Wheeler.
Trembicki-Haddad said “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a bit of a tear jerker, “but in a good way.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
‘Meet Me in St. Louis’
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
When: Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 11; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Tickets: Adults $21; students and senior citizens $18; loge seats $50; group rates available
Information: 219-548-9137, www.memorialoperahouse.com