SAF’s Not-So-Young People’s Theater: “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 10/19-10/22!

11 Oct SAF’s Not-So-Young People’s Theater: “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 10/19-10/22!

Telluride’s Sheridan Arts Foundation’s  (SAF) Not-So-Young People’s Theater presents “Meet Me In St. Louis.” The show takes place Thursday, October 19 through Sunday, October 22, 2023 live at the historic Sheridan Opera House.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” stars 22 community members of all ages. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 7 p.m.; Sunday is at 2 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior.

All tickets are sold through www.SheridanOperaHouse.com.

Go here for more on the Sheridan Arts Foundation/Opera House.

The plot of “Meet Me in St. Louis” is simple. In the summer of 1903 everyone in the Smith family eagerly anticipates the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair. Over the course of a year, the family’s mutual respect, tempered with good-natured humor, helps them through romance, opportunity, and heartbreaks. The musical includes seven of the best-loved songs from the Judy Garland film, six additional Martin and Blane songs written specially for the stage. Memorable musical numbers include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Boy Next Door,” and “The Trolley Song.”

Young People’s Theater Artistic Director Leah Heidenreich directs the show with former YPT director Jen Nyman-Julia.

Heidenreich shares:

“It has been such a joy to produce this sweet musical with Jen. ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’ is a perfect show to get into the holiday spirit while getting wrapped up in the nostalgia of so many beloved songs. Audiences will be shocked at how well they know the score. This is one of those shows you continue to say yourself, ‘Oh wow- I love this song! I didn’t know it was from this show!’ Another fun aspect of this particular production is how truly multi-generational the cast is. You will see thespians of all ages dancing and singing all over the opera house stage. It’s such a fun, talented group of locals. Rehearsals have been SO fun.”

With her impending due-date and subsequent maternity leave, Heidenreich wanted to make sure she had the support from someone who could fully take the reigns of the production at any time. The obvious choice was Jen Nyman-Julia:

“Jen and I found last year during ‘The Sound Of Music’ that we work incredibly well together. It’s been really helpful to co-direct this show knowing that every detail of the production will be above and beyond should I have to step away unexpectedly! It lifts a major weight off my shoulders to know ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ is in such incredible hands.”

For those who may not know, Nyman-Julia was the founding artistic director of the Young People’s Theater for 17 years before Leah took the helm.

CAST

Mr. Alonso Smith…Peter Lundeen
Mrs. Anna Smith…Katrina Aumiller
Lon Smith…Elijah Aumiller
Rose Smith…Grace Aumiller
Esther Smith…Charlotte Guest
Agnes Smith…Vivian Julia
Tootie Smith…Jaye Mahoney
Grandpa Prophater…Lionel Starr
Katie…Meghan Knowles
John Truitt…Henry Deppen
Warren Sheffield…Hudson Julia
Lucille Ballard…Kiara Warren
Eve…Ryann Singer
Postman/Clinton Badger…Yana Pollard
Motorman/Sidney Purvis…James Van Hooser
Peewee Drummond…Simon Guest
Ensemble…Jenny Birrittella, Zuzu Gorraiz, Simon Guest, Ryan Heidenreich, Itzel Hernandez, Yana Pollard, Ryann Singer, Pepper Tyson, James Van Hooser, Kathrine Warren, Kiara Warren

Sheridan Arts Foundation and Not So Young People’s Theater, more:

The Not-So-Young People’s Theater was founded in 2021 by Young People’s Theater Artistic Director Leah Heidenreich as a way to do one universally beloved musical a year with both child and adult community members. Last year’s production of “The Sound of Music” was comprised of 29 community members including 13 children and multiple family units and couples.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation was founded in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to preserve the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community, to bring quality arts and cultural events to Telluride and to provide local and national youth with access and exposure to the arts through education. The Sheridan Arts Foundation is sponsored in part by grants from the CCAASE, Colorado Creative Industries, the Telluride Foundation, and an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.