Local Cast Presents “Meet Me in St. Louis”

“Meet Me in St. Louis,” directed by Gregory Patterson and featuring a cast of local talent, comes to the Marion Palace stage Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 19 at 2:00pm.

The show is a rare treasure in the musical theatre and is based on the heartwarming movie. Join the Smith family at the 1904 World's Fair and see how their love and respect for each other is tempered with the genuine humor that can only be generated by such a special family.

Memorable musical numbers by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane include “The Boy Next Door,” “A Raving Beauty,” “The Trolley Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Whenever I'm with You,” and “A Day in New York.”

The cast features familiar faces and some that are new to the Palace.

Prinicipals are Mr. Alonzo Smith (Brad Bebout), Mrs. Anna Smith (Shannon Linville), Alonzo “Lon” Smith, Jr. (Zach Gleespen), Rose Smith (Emily Yaksic), Esther Smith (Rachel Osborne), Agnes Smith (Elizabeth Dresdow), Sarah Mahala Redway “Tootie” Smith (Jia Radloff), Grandpa Prophater (Brett Gleespen), Katie, the maid (Leah Menzie), John Truitt (Matt Meade), Warren Sheffield (Scott Persinger), Lucille Ballard (Mallory Gleespen), Eve Vandetrick (Cindy Watterson), Postman (Andy Love),  Motorman (Bruce Roland), Clinton Badger (Sam Gleespen), Peewee Drummond (Michael Thompson), and Sidney Purvis (David Soliday).

The chorus includes Annie Bell, Russ Collins, Emily Dougherty, Jemma Dougherty, Hannah Foreman, Leah Foreman, Maddi Gleespen, Jillian Goulet, Cheri Higgins, Samantha Hoover, Olivia Kaufman, Roland Linville, Rose Linville, Vivienne Linville, Claire O’Neill, Savannah Pennington, Hanah Reiff, Rissa Scheck, Brooklynn Short, Sarah Short, and Zara Soliday.

Joining Patterson are his artistic team of April Short (Assistant Director/Producer), Kristi Wink (Choreographer), Dee Ehrman (Music Director), Don Wolfe (Set), Susan Wenig (Costumes), Barb Yaksic (Stage Manager), and Rhonda Arnold (Assistant Stage Manager).

Patterson brings several years of theatre experience with him having directed and performed in several shows at the Palace including “1776,” “The Sound of Music,” “Peter Pan,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

Tickets are available now at $20/$15 for adults, $10 for children/students.  They may be purchased at the Palace box office, 270 W. Center St. in downtown Marion or by phone at 740/383-2101.  Box office hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Information for all shows and tickets is also online at www.marionpalace.org.

The winter musical is sponsored by Marion Community Foundation’s Mary H. Hollaway Palace Theatre Fund and co-sponsored by Arena Fair Theater Group, Bender Research Associates, Dr. Antonio Collazo, ENT, Dr. Brian Ehrman, D.D.S, Dr. David Fitkin, Mike & Kerry Ward, and Bradley, Mya, Drayson, & Ellie Campbell.