Margaret O' Brien to Make Appearance at MTW's MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS 11/7 - 11/8

Press release:

LONG BEACH, CA—Musical Theatre West is pleased to announce that Margaret O'Brien, who starred as Tootie Smith opposite Judy Garland in the classic MGM film Meet Me In St. Louis, will be in attendance at two performances of the stage adaptation at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Oscar® winner Ms. O'Brien will be at the Saturday, November 7, 2:00 PM and Sunday, November 8, 2:00 PM performances, and will be available at intermission and after the performance to meet audience members and sign photos in support of the non-profit organization, The Southern California Motion Picture Council.

ABOUT MARGARET O'BRIEN
Margaret O'Brien is widely considered to be one of the greatest child film actors of all time. She rose to fame during the Golden Era of Hollywood studio films, making her debut in Babes on Broadway (1941) when she was just four years old and achieving national prominence for her performance in Journey for Margaret (1942), after which MGM signed her to a long-term contract.

Ms. O'Brien's most notable role was as youngest daughter Tootie Smith in 1944's Meet Me In St. Louis. Her memorable performance opposite Judy Garland (also in one of her best-known roles) earned her a Special Juvenile Academy Award (following in the footsteps of Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, and Ms. Garland), and made her one of the highest-paid entertainers in America that year. She continued to shine in such films as Unfinished Dance (1947), The Secret Garden (1948) and Little Women (1949). Known as "America's favorite sweetheart," Ms. O'Brien was featured on paper dolls, coloring books, and dozens of other products. Since that time Ms. O'Brien has continued to appear in film and television shows, and has also become active in charitable affairs.

Ms. O'Brien will be in attendance at the Saturday, November 7, 2:00 PM and Sunday, November 8, 2:00 PM performances, where she will be available to meet the audience and sign photographs from her performance in Meet Me In St. Louis. The signed photos will be $10 each, and all proceeds from the photo sales will be donated to The Southern California Motion Picture Council. Founded in 1936, the Council is a non-profit organization which promotes the best in motion pictures. To this end, the Council encourages production of family oriented films and television programs; promotes civic-minded, educational and cultural programs of exceptional merit and presents awards for the best in movies, television, stage plays and the performing arts. Tickets are still available for both performances and can be purchased by calling the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or visiting www.musical.org.

ABOUT MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
Musical Theatre West's production of Meet Me In St. Louis opened on October 31 and runs Thursdays-Sundays through November 15 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. A heartwarming tale of love and family against the backdrop of the 1904 World's Fair, the stage adaption of the film debuted on Broadway in 1989 and has enjoyed great regional success since that time. The score by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane features such timeless classics as "The Trolley Song," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door" and the title song.

Starring in this production are Tony® nominee Mary Gordon Murray, Broadway veterans Norman Large and Kevin Cooney and Southern California stage regulars Cassie Silva, Sarah Bermudez, Robert Pieranunzi, Cathy Newman and Jeremy Bernard as well as Jason Evans, Alexa Freeman, and Grace Kaufman. Meet Me In St. Louis is directed by Richard Israel, with choreography by Lee Martino and musical direction by Daniel Thomas.

ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE WEST
Now in its 57th season, Musical Theatre West is one of Southern California's largest and most-respected theater companies. Under the leadership of Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman, the company has garnered numerous awards and accolades for its work (including 21 Ovation Award nominations over the past three seasons and the Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre) while presenting the entire spectrum of musical comedy. Following Meet Me in St. Louis in the 2009-2010 Season is Rent (featuring Queer Eye's Jay Rodriguez), Sweeney Todd, The Marvelous Wonderettes and 1776.

Musical Theatre West performances are at the beautiful 1070-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Tickets for Meet Me in St. Louis range from $10-$80 and can be purchased through the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or online at www.musical.org.

Remaining MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS Performance Dates/Times:
Thursday, November 5, 8:00 PM
Friday, November 6, 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 7, 2:00 PM
Saturday, November 7, 8:00 PM
Sunday, November 8, 2:00 PM
Sunday, November 8, 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 12, 8:00 PM
Friday, November 13, 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 14, 2:00 PM
Saturday, November 14, 8:00 PM
Sunday, November 15, 2:00 PM

Photos courtesy of Musical Theatre West.