Meet Me In St. Louis

Act I

The overture segues directly into the opening number ("Meet Me In St. Louis") which introduces the Smith family octet: Tootie, the youngest girl; Agnes, her closest sister; Lon, the son ready for college; Mrs. Anna Smith, mother; Katie, the family's Irish maid; Grandpa Prophater; Rose, the eldest daughter; and Esther, the second oldest. Everyone is excited about the fair. Esther harbors a crush on "The Boy Next Door," so Mrs. Smith dispenses some motherly advice on love ("You'll Hear a Bell").

Esther attempts to serve family dinner an hour earlier than usual, in order to give Rose some privacy to receive a long distance phone call from a wealthy suitor, Warren Sheffield, who is vacationing in New York. Mr. Smith insists on dinner at the usual time, and despite Katie's quick pace, the plan fails. The whole family overhears Rose's disappointing call.

At Lon's going-away-to-college party, Warren - now returned from New York - and Rose sing the delightful duet "A Raving Beauty." With the party in full swing, Lon leads Warren, Rose and the chorus in a rousing square-dance ("Skip to My Lou"). Caught after bedtime watching Lon's party from the stair landing above, Tootie and Agnes are invited down to perform "Under the Bamboo Tree" as a vaudeville turn for the guests. When the guests go home, Esther and John are left alone. Although he is shy and a bit awkward, John manages to express his feelings as he helps Esther turn down the gaslights ("Over the Bannister"). He then shakes her hand good night. Disappointed by the handshake, Esther nonetheless shrugs it off with a reprise of "The Boy Next Door" and ultimately celebrates new love with "The Trolley Song."

Act II

In the kitchen on Halloween night, Tootie and Agnes prepare to go out trick-or-treating. Katie, left alone with Esther and Rose, instructs them on the ways of romance ("A Touch of the Irish"). Tootie and Agnes return unexpectedly, and Tootie mischievously places the blame for their early return on John Truitt. This, of course, complicates matters between John and Esther, causing a misunderstanding and then an apology. John sings a reprise of "The Girl Next Door."

Mr. Smith is offered a promotion at work, but it will require the family to move to New York City. Everyone is upset by this news and has compelling reasons for not wanting to leave St. Louis. Mr. Smith explains the benefits of the big city ("A Day in New York"), but Mrs. Smith is the only one convinced to make the move. She reaffirms her love for her husband ("You'll Hear a Bell") and he responds in their duet, "Wasn't It Fun?"

The last big social event before the family leaves St. Louis is the formal Christmas Ball. Rose attends with Lon, but Esther is left without an escort; John did not get to the tailor in time to pick up his father's tuxedo. Grandpa Prophater saves Esther's evening by wearing his tuxedo and escorting her to the Ball. A prank Esther plans for Lucille, whom Lon admires, backfires on her, and Esther is forced to dance with three less-than-attractive men herself. Everything works out well for the three young couples. John manages to get his tuxedo and unexpectedly arrives at the Ball. Later that evening, he and Esther decide they should wait some time before marrying since they are only "practically of age" ("You Are for Loving"). Rose and Warren, and Lucille and Lon, pair off for the duration of the dance.

Back at home, Tootie is upset by the move away from St. Louis. Esther tries to comfort her ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") but Tootie is unconvinced. Mr. Smith joyfully announces that the move is off and everyone celebrates.

The scene and time change to spring, as everyone prepares to attend the World's Fair ("The Trolley Song/Meet Me In St. Louis"). Suddenly, the singing is interrupted by a blackout. But the lights quickly come up, and the Smith family gapes in wonder at the spectacular panorama of the 1904 World's Fair.

Principals
(7 female; 5 male)

Esther Smith — lively and attractive daughter, about seventeen
Mrs. Anna Smith — fortyish, good and loving mother
Tootie Smith — bright six-year-old daughter
Rose Smith — beautiful and chic daughter, about eighteen
Katie — the Smiths’ cook and housemaid, Irish and about fifty
Agnes Smith — tomboyish twelve-year-old daughter
John Truitt — handsome, athletic boy next door, about nineteen
Lon Smith — good-looking, nineteen-year-old Princeton freshman
Mr. Alonso Smith — fortyish, father and lawyer
Warren Sheffield — Rose’s suitor, an eligible young man from a rich family
Lucille Ballard - a sophisticated and charming young lady
Grandpa Prophater — Mrs. Smith’s father, a Civil War veteran

Supporting

Eve — Lon’s date at his going-away party
Postman — middle-aged Irish man
Motorman — trolley car driver

Clinton Badger, Peewee Drummond & Sidney Purvis — three awkward, bumbling young men

Ensemble

Trolley Passengers
Assembled Guests at Lon’s party
Ballroom Couples
Carolers

The original Broadway production had a cast of 41 performers, including chorus. Some doubling was employed in the minor parts.