Meet Me in St. Louis the Musical
Based on the heartwarming holiday classic film, "Meet Me In St. Louis" starring Judy Garland.
November 17 - December 23
It is the summer of 1903, and 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 film, plus ten additional Martin and Blane songs written especially for the stage. Memorable musical numbers include "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door," "The Trolley Song," and "Whenever I’m with You."
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A Note from the Director...
“Meet Me in St Louis” is a classic MGM film from 1944 starring Judy Garland. This film was the debut of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, which has become a holiday standard. While some may not think of this as a holiday movie, many families watch this annually during the holiday season!
I have loved the journey of stepping back in time to bring these characters to life. From the clothing to the way people presented themselves in public and private, so much has changed since the early 1900s. Set in the summer of 1903, everyone in the Smith family eagerly anticipates the opening of the 1904 World's Fair. This story captures a glimpse of everyday life as the Smith family navigate romance, parties, opportunity, and heartbreak. I believe this allows us to relate to them even though they are from a different time. It reminds us that we all go through hardships, but we can make it through if we stick together.
It’s been a pleasure getting the opportunity to work with so many familiar faces, and some lovely new faces, too. We have been working non-stop to bring you a completely new show in a week’s time. Thank you to everyone for your graciousness as we’ve navigated a difficult switch!
I want to especially thank Dion, Jess, Gary, Bill, Tom and Donna for the work you’ve done behind the scenes to make this show happen. A special thank you to Thelma and David, Sharon, Janie, and Emily! We are truly blessed to have such kind folks giving back to the theatre in such a selfless way. Lastly, we thank you, the audience, for supporting live theatre! Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Who's Who in the Cast...
Kristina Swearingen (Esther Smith)
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Kristina Swearingen (Esther Smith)
Kristina Swearingen is a multi-hyphenate theater artist. She graduated from the University of Mobile with a Master of Arts in Musical Theater and has performed with The Lost Colony, Dollywood, Endstation Theater Company, and many others. In addition to performing, Kristina has worked as a choreographer, scenic designer, carpenter, and box office agent. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @swearingen_kb or her website, www.kristinaswearingen.com
Samantha Bagdon (Mrs. Anna Smith)
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Kristina Swearingen (Esther Smith)
Now based in NYC, Samantha grew up in New Hampshire where she received her B.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from Plymouth State University. Previous appearances at Myers: Our Town, A Christmas Story: The Musical. Regional credits include: Hairspray, Shrek the Musical, Into the Woods, I Love You Because. National tour: A Christmas Carol. Enjoy the show, and happy holidays!
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Benjamin is a stage performer currently based in Indianapolis, IN. He has a special interest in classical stage works from Opera to Shakespeare. He attended Anderson University with a major in Musical Theatre from 2018-2022. Favorite roles include Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Antonio in The Tempest, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. Special thanks to Joanna and Stella!
Austin M. Russell (John Truitt)
Austin M. Russell (John Truitt)
Benjamin Elliott (Mr. Alonso Smith)
Austin is a Memphis Native, and proud alum of the University of Memphis, where he earned his BFA in Theater with a concentration in Performance. His love for storytelling has made him a multi-hyphenate theater artist and he has worked as an actor, director, writer, and fight choreographer professionally for a little under a decade. He would like to dedicate this performance to his late Gammy, who always inspired him to live life fully, and empathetically. Enjoy the show! Acts 2:15
Ruthie Sangster (Rose Smith)
Austin M. Russell (John Truitt)
Ruthie Sangster (Rose Smith)
Ruthie is so excited to return to Myers Dinner Theatre this holiday season! She is a New York City based performer, but will always be a Kentucky girl at heart. Ruthie is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky where she earned degrees in both Vocal Performance (B.M.) and Arts Administration (B.A.) Some of her recent credits include Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music and Betty Haynes in White Christmas here at MDT, Martha Sowerby in The Secret Garden at the Round Barn Theatre, and Ensemble/Elsa US in The Sound of Music with The Lexington Theatre Company. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Mimi and many thanks to her friends and mentors for all of their support!
| www.ruthiesangster.com | @ruthielizabeth_ on instagram
Matthew Hawkins (Lon Smith)
Austin M. Russell (John Truitt)
Ruthie Sangster (Rose Smith)
Matthew is from Auburn, AL, Matthew is a proud graduate of the University of Memphis with a BFA in acting. Go Tigers! Some of his favorite credits include Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Tuzenbach in Three Sisters, and Franz Kafka in Asking Strangers the Meaning of Life. Matthew has also appeared on the INSP Network in Into the Wild Frontier. He would like to thank all his family and friends for their support! #WEMEMBOYS.
1 John 4:9-10
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Brett Fredrickson is a singer, dancer, and actor from Mount Horeb, WI. Ever since earning his BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Dance at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, he has been seen in previous Myers Dinner Theater productions such as “Grease” (Johnny Casino/Teen Angel), “Sh-Boom! Life Could Be A Dream” (Wally), and “The Rat Pack Lounge” (Vic). Brett is thrilled to be involved in “The Mousetrap” and would love to thank his family and friends for their continuous unconditional love and support.
Don Hart (Grandpa Prophater)
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Don is thrilled to be back at Myers! He was last seen telling the tales of Tom and Huck as Mark Twain! Other favorite roles have been Eddie in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Mr. Laurence in Little Women, Grimsby in Disney's The Little Mermaid, and his favorite role of all time Noah in The Ark. Thank you for supporting live theatre in Hillsboro!
Teresa Ross (Katie/Music Director)
Brett Fredrickson (Warren Sheffield)
Hannah Bergman (Lucille Ballard, Ensemble)
Teresa earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. She sang in the IU Opera Chorus and especially loved learning from visiting choral director legend, Robert Shaw. Teresa holds a Master of Science in Music Education from Indiana State University and taught music, choir and band in several area schools. Teresa directed the vocal music for the Danville Light Opera/Danville Area Community College production of "Les Misérables" and DLO summer youth productions. Now retired from public school teaching, Teresa teaches private voice and piano lessons. She is a songwriter and active in the music ministry at the First Church of Christ in Covington. Teresa is a horse lover and a volunteer staff member for the horse camp at Hanging Rock Christian Camp. As a writer, her projects include a devotional book for horse lovers and a page on Facebook called “Word From the Porch.”
Hannah Bergman (Lucille Ballard, Ensemble)
Hannah Bergman (Lucille Ballard, Ensemble)
Hannah Bergman (Lucille Ballard, Ensemble)
Hannah Bergman is an Actor/Singer originally from Indianapolis, Indiana.
She has spent the last 5 years working professionally, and obtaining her
BFA in Musical Theatre at The University of Tampa.Some of Hannah’s favorite credits include Rachel in Two By Two at Myers Dinner Theatre , and Annie in Evil Dead the Musical . Hannah would like to
thank her family and current partner for their love and constant support.
Who's Who in the Cast...
Kinley Barney (Agnes Smith)
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Kinley is ecstatic to be making her 3rd Myers Dinner Theatre appearance. Kinley’s first role at the theatre was as Nancy in A Christmas Story. She also played Brigitta in The Sound of Music. In addition, she has appeared in several different plays through Danville Light Opera, Red Mask and Gregor’s Academy of the Arts in the Danville, IL area. As an eleven year old girl Kinley stays very busy with basketball, softball, volleyball, theatre and singing lessons. With the time she has left, you can find her hanging out with her friends. Kinley would like to thank her parents and family for their continued support. Without them none of this would be possible.
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Greta’s favorite place to be is on stage, and she’s so grateful to be back at Myers after playing Marta in The Sound of Music here earlier this year. A Westfield, Indiana fifth-grader, Greta loves spending time with friends, making YouTube shorts, and performing! Some of Greta’s favorite past roles include Young Violet in It’s a Wonderful Life at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Lindsay in Godspell, Lavender in Matilda the Musical, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family Jr., and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast Jr. Greta has visited St. Louis, but her current favorite city is NYC after traveling there for a week-long Broadway camp this summer.
Allie Stacy (Tootie Smith)
Greta Shambarger (Agnes Smith)
Adelaide Klinger (Tootie Smith)
Allie is an eight-year-old actress from Westfield, IN. She has professional experience on stage, short film, and commercials. Some of her favorite roles include Lulu (Waitress Tour; Broadway), Zuzu (It’s a Wonderful Life; Beef and Boards, and Chip (Beauty and the Beast; Beef and Boards). Thank you to all of my teachers who have helped me grow as a singer, actress, and dancer! Follow me on Instagram @allie_actress to see what I’ll do next!
Adelaide Klinger (Tootie Smith)
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Adelaide Klinger (Tootie Smith)
This is my second time performing at MDT, and I am so excited! I am in third grade at Covington Christian School, and I want to be an astronaut when I grow up. I want to dedicate my performance to my parents, but mostly my baby brother, Everett, who is my best friend.
Annie Heartney (Eve, Ensemble)
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Annie Heartney (she/her) is ecstatic to be returning to MDT! You may recognize her from Steel Magnolias (Shelby), or Two by Two (Goldie). Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Annie is an Midwest based crossover artist, with professional credits in musical theatre, straight plays, and opera. Selected credits include Die Fledermaus (Adele), The Gondoliers (Casilda), The Last Five Years (Cathy Hiatt), and No, No, Nanette (Winnie Winslow). ASU MT, class of 2022.
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Logan Hanson (Clinton Badger, Postman, Ensemble)
Logan is an Iowa native who recently earned his BFA in Theatre (Acting) from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. His most recent credits include When the Clock Strikes 13 (a piece devised for Millikin’s Children’s Show series) and The Addams Family at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmer’s Branch, Texas. He would like to thank his family and his girlfriend, Maggie, for all their love and support.
DRae Beller (Trolley Passenger, Party Guest, Ensemble)
DRae Beller (Trolley Passenger, Party Guest, Ensemble)
DRae Beller (Trolley Passenger, Party Guest, Ensemble)
DRae Beller- is 21 years old and spends most days as “Miss DRae” in childcare services. You may have seen her as Junie B. Jones in “Junie B. Jones the Musical” or Liesl VonTrapp in “Sound of Music” which were both at MDT! She would like to thank the production team
for all that they do, her amazing friends and family, and her wonderful partner, Tyler, for supporting her endlessly.
Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!
Who's Who in the Cast...
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
TJ is from Decatur, IN, and graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s in Voice Performance. They have toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre, performed six seasons with the Round Barn Theatre at the former Amish Acres, and has covered many different staff and technical positions throughout their career. Myers Dinner Theatre has become their home away from home. Favorite credits include: Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, Eugene in Sh-Boom!, Jesus in Godspell, Pap/King in Big River, Mr. Bumble in Oliver! and Willard Hewitt in Footloose! Thank you to everyone who supports their dreams.
Dion Stover (Artistic Director, Costumes, Set Design & Decor)
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
Dion is a Chicago native with a B.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from Columbia College . Myers audiences may recognize him from Queen of Bingo (Sis) and Into the Woods (Baker). Recent credits include: Mamma Mia (Harry Bright), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Frank N Furter), Sheer Madness (Tony Whitcomb), Double Wide Texas (Baby) and The Addams Family (Mal Beineke). He wishes to thank this hardworking cast and crew for all of their hard work and sharing their talent. Much love to his family, friends and especially, Serge, for all of the love and support.
Jessica Alltop (PSM, Props Designer)
TJ Bird (Director, Lights, Sound, Projections, Pee Wee, Motorman, Ensemble)
Jessica Alltop (PSM, Props Designer)
Jessica is from Terre Haute, IN where she lives with her husband, Ethan, and their three cats, Coretta, Beanie Baker, and Refried. Jessica has worked on shows out at Myers Dinner Theatre since 2012. When she isn't working in theatre, she enjoys working with her house plant collection and watching cooking shows with Ethan. She would like to thank Ethan, her family, and her friends for supporting her dream of pursuing a career in theatre.