Meet Me in St. Louis

Act I

The Overture segues directly into the front of the Smith family home (“Meet Me in St Louis”). We meet the Smith family: (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 daughter. Excited about the fair, Rose sees John Truitt outside and we learn more about Esther’s crush (“The Boy Next Door”).

Esther reveals her plans to hold the family dinner an hour earlier than usual so that Rose can take a long distance call from her wealthy suitor, Warren Sheffield, who Esther feels is going to propose on the phone. When her father gets home, he refuses and insists on eating dinner at the usual time. His disagreeable nature puts the family in a bad mood and Lon reminds everyone that they are a “peaceful family” that likes each other (“Whenever I’m With You”).

Esther questions her mother about