Theatre arts program presents classic musical “Meet Me in St. Louis”

The theatre arts program’s fall production of the classic musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” will be held Oct. 24-27 in the Casino Theatre. Based on the 1944 film, “Meet Me in St. Louis” follows the Smith family in the months leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair. All of the stage performers are Salve Regina students, and students also work across all aspects of the production.
The continued importance of the production
World’s fairs captivated audiences for nearly a century before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, offering an escape from the realities of industrial change and, later, the Great Depression. While less frequent today, world’s fairs continue to address global issues, shifting from confronting colonialism to tackling modern environmental crises.
Amidst global turmoil such as World War I and II, the fairs were put on hold, and audiences turned to media for escapism. It was during this time that Sally Benson’s nostalgic vignettes about life in St. Louis were published, capturing the hearts of a war-weary public. These stories, which would later become the novel “Meet Me in St. Louis,” quickly made their way to the big screen, offering a comforting, idyllic portrayal of family life that resonated deeply with 1940s audiences.
From its debut as a novel to the film and 1989 stage production, “Meet Me in St. Louis” has remained a classic. Just as it soothed audiences of the 1940s, the story continues to provide respite from the stresses of today. “The majesty and excitement of ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ stands as a beacon of how the stories we tell let us escape the ones we live,” said Morgan Vreeland, theatre arts major and the production’s dramaturg.

Salve Regina students portraying the Smith family.
A feeling of community
The production will highlight the warmth and kindness of a close-knit community and the feeling of family. “It’s something we all need right now,” said Ali Angelone, the show’s guest director and choreographer. “I grew up going to a Fourth of July parade every year and now bring my children. The sense of community and family that special events in a town can create – this is what I’d like audiences to feel.”
While the feeling of community comes through the production, it is also bursting at the seams behind the curtains, with Salve Regina students taking on costume design, music, lighting and more.
Psychology major Isabella Canevari is leading the lighting design, while Lauryn Boone, a theatre arts major, serves as the head stage manager. This year, students from the course Costume and Props Design, taught by professional costume designer Sydney Hawes, are managing the show’s wardrobe in collaboration with a professional theater rental company.
Additionally, Reed Duncan, a dance major, along with exchange student Tsukiho Orisaka, are dance captains – assisting the choreographer with perfecting the show’s dances. Vreeland has also contributed by researching the history of the production and creating a gallery display for the audience to explore during the performances.

Isabella Canevari programming the lights for the production.