Plots that center on family always hold true, no matter the year.

Add holiday scene-setting and all the twists and turns that come with special dates like Halloween and Christmas arriving, and you can be assured there's plenty of fun unfolding for audiences.

These are just a few reasons why everyone loves "Meet Me in St. Louis."

Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., first staged this musical last year at this time, and it was a great success.

So it's welcome news the musical has been resurrected and remounted with many of the same cast members at the Oakbrook venue's sister property downtown at the Drury Lane Theatre Watertower (scaled-down sets fit this smaller stage).

A year ago, I wrote how actress Margaret O'Brien would be pleased with the Drury Lane Theatre's treatment of the story she made famous in director Vincente Minnelli's "Meet Me in St. Louis."

And this is opinion holds true with this latest incarnation, dusted off (as in snowflakes) just in time for the holidays and running through Dec. 21.

After all, remember O'Brien was already a friend of Judy Garland, who played her older sister in the 1944 film that helped rocket O'Brien to fame after its memorable scene when Garland sings to her, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." This was the film for which O'Brien won her miniature Academy Award as "Outstanding Child Actress."

Jim Corti, who was a Jeff nominee for "Best Direction" for this production at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, once again is directing.

Once theater lights dim, it's easy for audiences to travel back to turn-of-the-century St. Louis, where the World's Fair is coming soon -- and so is a world of changes for the Smith family.

While older sister Rose, played to perfection by Dara Cameron, and Esther, played by the talented Megan Long, dream of happily-ever-after with their handsome beaus, the younger girls, Agnes, played by Emily Ashenden, and Tootie, played by Emily Leahy, spend their hours dreaming up mischief.

Confident and always on the mark, actor Michael Gerhart is their father, who sets the household upside down when he announces the family is moving to New York. The musical features show-stopping dance numbers and a treasured score showcasing tunes such as "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door" and "The Trolley Song."

While audiences think mostly of the Garland movie version, Munster's Theatre at the Center did a nice stage version just a few years ago, and this musical also played on Broadway in 1989 at the George Gershwin Theatre, starring Betty Garrett, George Hearn, Charlotte Moore and Milo O'Shea.

Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St. in downtown Chicago, features an intimate 549-seat performance space and spacious lobby. Presenting contemporary plays and musicals as well as classics from Broadway and beyond, the theater is led by producers Kyle DeSantis and Jim Jensen, Artistic Director William Osetek and Artistic Advisor Gary Griffin.

Tickets are $50 to $60, and discounted tickets for children are $20 at select performances. Student and senior discounts are also available. Dinner packages are available at various popular Chicago restaurants close to the theater. Discount parking rates are available at nearby garages starting as low as $10; for details, drurylanewatertower.com or (312) 642-2000.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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Actor Robert Vaughn ("The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") is 76. Actor Michael Callan is 73. Comedian-director Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) is 68. Actor Tom Conti and singer Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods) are 67. Tennis player Billie Jean King and drummer Floyd Sneed, of Three Dog Night, are 65. Guitarist-actor Little Steven (The E Street Band, "The Sopranos") and bassist Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads is 58. Actor Richard Kind ("Spin City," "Mad About You") is 52. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and singer Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers are 50. Actress Mariel Hemingway is 47. Actor Stephen Geoffreys is 44. Actress Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation," "Ghost World") is 24.