Ocean State Theatre Company Presents MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, Now thru 12/28

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its third season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to present the wonderful classic from the golden age of musical comedy, Meet Me in St. Louis. The popular family-friendly musical, with additional underwriting provided by Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, will run at Ocean State Theatre from tonight, December 3 - 28.

Based on the heartwarming 1944 MGM film which starred Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis is a treasured classic from the golden age of musical films. Join the Smith family at the 1904 World's Fair and see how their love and respect for each other is tempered with the genuine humor that can only be generated by such a close family. Memorable musical numbers include "The Boy Next Door, "The Trolley Song," "Under the Bamboo Tree," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Meet Me in St. Louis is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with the entire family!

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome Gary John La Rosa, who directed OSTC's production of Peter Pan (2009), who will both direct and choreograph. He will be joined by local musician Esther Zabinski, who music directed this season's opening production of My Fair Lady, as well as previous OSTC productions of Miracle on 34th Street and RENT. Portraying the Smith family children are lifelong friends Sarah Pothier of Rumford and Hannah Spacone of Providence as Esther and Rose, New York actor Michael Luongo as their brother, Lon, Lily McMahon of Warwick as Agnes and Bobbie Celine Doherty, of Stonington, Conn., as 6 year old, Tootie. In the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Ronald L. Brown, who recently completed a 14-month national tour of Evita, and makes his OSTC debut, and Rebecca Barko, of New Haven, Conn., who returns to OSTC after appearances as Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! and Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan. Mark S. Cartier of West Bridgewater, Mass, who has appeared in OSTC productions of The Diary of Anne Frank, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Miracle on 34th Street and Fools, will portray the role of Mrs. Smith's father, Grandpa Prophater. The family's maid, Katie, will be played by Stacey Geer of Attleboro, Mass., who has appeared in OSTC productions of Fools, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Hairspray. Esther and Rose's suitors will be portrayed by Joshua Stenseth, who will make his OSTC debut as John Truitt, and Roger Reed, who won rave reviews for his recent portrayal of Freddy in OSTC's season opener, My Fair Lady. Other local performers include Michael Baskowski and Joseph Culliane of Boston, Alexis Berlinger of Cumberland, Sydney Carriero and Staci Morin of Somerset, Josh Christensen, Aaron O'Brien Mackisey, Abigail McMahon and Laurel McMahon of Warwick, Alex LeBlanc of East Greenwich, Devin Marchany of Cranston, Brad Foster Reinking of Barrington, and Alison Russo of Pawtucket.

Meet Me in St. Louis will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from December 3 - 28. Previews are scheduled for tonight, December 3 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, December 4 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except December 10 & 24), Thursday (except December 25), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except December 18 & 25), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except December 6) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, December 7. The post show Piano Bar Series will continue with "Holiday Gems" and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances in the theatre's lobby on December 12, 13, 19 and 20.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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