Bozeman Magazine

In 1804, Lewis and Clark began their journey from St. Louis to Montana to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Now Petra Academy invites Montanans to return to the site of the centennial celebration of that historic acquisition - the 1904 World’s Fair - with their production of Meet Me in St. Louis, March 2-4. “This particular iteration of the World’s Fair was significant, both in the history of St. Louis as well as of America at the turn of the century. This was the Fair where personal automobiles were showcased for the first time, X-rays were unveiled and displayed, and eating ice cream out of a cone became popular,” says Petra drama director Eli Denison. Petra’s stage production, adapted by Christopher Sergel, follows the Smith family as sisters, Rose, Esther, Agnes, and Tootie are preparing for the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair in their home town. In the midst of their plans to fix each other up with dates and reunite their brother with his hometown sweetheart, Mr. Smith comes home with a shocking announcement: the family will be moving to New York for a better job. At the realization that they would have to leave their home and miss the fair, the girls band together and take action...with hilarious results. Meet Me in St. Louis was adapted into a popular movie starring Judy Garland in 1944, eventually making its way onto the Broadway stage in 1989. While Sergel’s particular production is a straight adaptation of the story, Denison is incorporating some of the more well-known songs from the musical to showcase the students’ singing and dancing abilities. “What would Meet Me in St. Louis be without the famous title song, or ‘Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley?’” said Denison. “We’ve included both, and the kids love them.” In this, Petra Academy’s 21st year, the play has become a tradition, featuring performances of shows like Anne of Green Gables, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arsenic and Old Lace, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Great Expectations, and last year’s Tom Jones. With Petra’s show becoming one of the most popular student activities in the school, more students will be involved onstage and backstage than ever before. “Over half of our secondary student population is involved in some way in this production,” said Denison. “The students are learning that shows aren’t created in a vacuum. It takes set builders, costumers, lighting techs, and makeup artists to bring a production to life.” Next year, Petra plans to add an additional November play in addition to its annual late February/early March offering, which Denison hopes will include student writing and directing credits, along with more opportunities for students to be involved. Performances will be held in the Performance Hall of Petra’s campus at 4720 Classical Way on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.; there is an additional Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission