ST. VINCENT'S YOUTH GROUP TELLS AUDIENCE TO `MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS'

Starting from scratch, a group of teens from St. Vincent's church have put together a play that one member said has held the group together over the summer months.

The youth group at the church for three nights next week will present "Meet Me In St. Louis."

It's a project Amy Patton says was like glue for the group over the summer.

"We thought a play would be the best way to keep us together over the summer," said Patton, who has learned an Irish accent for her part as the Irish cook.

"This is the first time we've done a play," she said. "In previous summers, we've always done a dinner theater. But we've been talking about doing a play, and we just decided to do it."

"Meet Me In St. Louis" will be presented Aug. 20-22 at the old Moviemax store, 250 Silver Springs Road.

Patton explained that a church member owns the building and let the youth group transform the inside into a stage and auditorium that will seat 140 people.

Rehearsals have been ongoing for several weeks, she said, and much work has gone into producing the set and the period costumes.

"It's been a lot of fun," Patton said. "Everything's started to come together."

The well-known play replaces the dinner theater that had become a tradition for the youth group in the summer.

Patton said the dinner theater typically raised money for other youth projects in the church. Although the play probably won't raise as much money, it has been a good ice-breaker for new members.

"We have a really great youth group in that we operate as a family," said Patton. "Everyone gets involved. We knew when we started this project we'd all have to be dedicated. I think most of us have our lines down already."

Such teamwork came in handy when the group found out the church was booked during the weekend of the play and they'd have to find somewhere else to have it.

When they found out they'd have to build the stage and the set, the young members still weren't deterred. "We're having a lot of fun," Patton said.

The play was selected by director Jerry Strohmeyer.

"There are a lot of strong characters in the play and they're all well-developed," she said. "There are not small roles in this play."

"Meet Me In St. Louis" is a comedy set around a family in St. Louis in 1904, right before the opening of the World's Fair. While facing the dilemma of having to move to New York, the family discovers why they love living in St. Louis.

Marty Strohmeyer and Leah Kinnard portray the main characters of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Their daughters are played by Lisa Hoffman, Amy Crosier, Tracy Gragg and Tracy Gibbar, and their son by Ben LeGrand. The grandfather is played by Danny Strohmeyer.

Other cast members are Jeremy Bratton, Doug Cook, Susan Essner, Emily Fisher, Julie Stoverink, Matt Strohmeyer and Mike Rennick.

Curtain time is 8:15 p.m. Reserved tickets are $5 and are available at St. Vincent de Paul Parish office, 1913 Ritter Drive.

Patton said members are busy preparing for their first roles in what she calls a delightfully entertaining play.

"I think we're all a little bit nervous," she said.