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It's not unusual for a successful Broadway show to be made into a movie.
But in a reverse of that order, the smash 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis" starring Judy Garland, was converted into a musical in 1989.
Vance and Pat Moran's Canyon Club Dinner Theater is now presenting the stage version, complete with moving trolley and clanging bells, at its Agoura Hills location.
What has been called a leisurely, affectionate view of a turn-of-the-century family has little action or intense conflict.
But the tongue-in-cheek view of an upper middle-class family has an understated charm that does not rely on violence, car crashes or explicit sex scenes.
This mellow musical may appeal most to those who enjoy discreet representations of life.
Certainly it is best viewed putting into perspective a bygone era that was still adjusting to the telephone as a new-fangled contraption.
The innocent vignettes circa 1903 highlight familial anticipation of the impending 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis; daughter Esther's feelings about the boy next door; younger sister Tootie's prank on Halloween that backfired; who will escort whom to a Christmas dance; and father's promotion which will transplant the family to New York.
You'll find the family feeling nurtured by classics: "Meet Me in St. Louis," "The Boy Next Door," "The Trolley Song," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
The versatile K.C. Buckland is director and choreographer. He has excellent help from musical director Amy McDowell, and costume seamstress Candy Hoffstatter.
Most convincing are the Irish maid Katie, played by Barbara Trenn; and Esther's love interest John Truitt, acted by Ryan Mills.
The handsome Richard C. Hawkes looks the part of dad, a lawyer named Alonso Smith. His mild-mannered, refereeing wife, Anna Smith, is played by the graceful Renee Domeier.
In probably her best work yet for the Canyon Club, actress Kari Ashdown takes on the part of daughter Esther.
Strong vocally is Audrey Charness, who plays another daughter, Rose.
Others adding color this particular evening to the Smith family ensemble were Jason Goldberg as son Lon; Lauren Marks as daughter Agnes; Chiara Doré Pomerantz as daughter Tootie; and Michael Jay Aronovitz, who does a hilarious job as their Grandpa.
"Meet Me..." was second only to "Gone with the Wind" as MGM's highest grossing film up to that time.
Directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Arthur Freed, the show featured music and lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, screenplay by Irving Brecher and Fred Finklehoffe.
The stellar cast included Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Marjorie Main, June Lockhart, Chill Wills, Darryl Hickman, Joan Carroll, and Leon Ames as the head of the family.
For information about "Meet Me...," contact the Canyon Club at (818) 879-5016.
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