Finally in 1960 the live theatre received the gift of Meet Me in St. Louis as a full fledged musical, with the addition of eight new songs by the original composers. Tootie Smith, the authoress's alter ego was made famous by eight year old Margaret O'Brien, whose show stealing performance still did not dim the light of the redheaded Judy Garland who played Tootie's sister, Esther and whose instant stardom became legend. Of equal significance the Smith family's bittersweet decision not to relocate to New York City foretold the end of the integrated family unit as the norm, as job opportunities continue to relocate and scatter American families at an ever-increasing rate. Elena Graham of Granger, Indiana will make her stage debut as Tootie at Amish Acres. Her grandfather and Don Knotts grew up together in West Virginia and remain best of friends.
Grandfather plays banjo and records CDs.
This is her first theatre experience. She attends Stanley Clark school in South Bend and has arranged to work her schooling in with her rehearsal and performance schedule. A cast list of 1999 company members and veterans from past seasons includes some of the most popular performers to have appeared at the theatre. Your Gun helms the family as the boisterous yet tender father, Mr. Smith. Kent also co-helms the production, sharing staging responsibilities with Scott Saegesser.