Louisiana Purchase Tickets

The Louisiana Purchase remains a significant moment in American history. In 1803, the United States acquired nearly 827,000 square miles of land from France, doubling its size and securing its position as a world power. The land deal was not only politically important but also culturally significant, as it allowed for new territories and regions to be explored and settled. This expansion has been celebrated in many ways, including through Broadway shows that have captured the spirit and energy of this landmark moment.

One such show is "Meet Me in St. Louis," which opened on Broadway in 1989, more than a century after the Louisiana Purchase. It tells the story of the Smith family in St. Louis, Missouri, in the months leading up to the 1904 World's Fair, which was held in honor of the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. The show captures the excitement and optimism of that era, as well as the challenges and joys of family life.

Another Broadway show that pays tribute to the Louisiana Purchase is "Purlie," which premiered in 1970. Set in Georgia in 1961, the show follows Purlie Victorious Judson, an African-American preacher who returns to his hometown with the mission of buying the local plantation from a wealthy white landowner. Although the show is set more than a century after the purchase, it touches on themes of ownership, freedom, and power that were at the heart of the Louisiana Purchase.

Yet another example of a Broadway show inspired by the Louisiana Purchase is "Hello, Dolly!" This show, which opened in 1964, stars Carol Channing as Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker in New York City who sets out to find a match for the curmudgeonly Horace Vandergelder. At the end of the first act, the characters travel to New York's Harmonia Gardens, where they sing and dance amidst a backdrop of grandeur and excitement that reflects the growth and expansion of the United States in the years after the Louisiana Purchase.

These Broadway shows are just a few examples of how the Louisiana Purchase has influenced popular culture. Even today, more than two centuries since the historic event took place, it continues to capture the imagination of Americans and inspire works of art, literature, music, and theater. By paying tribute to this pivotal moment in history, these shows remind us of our nation's resilience, spirit of adventure, and commitment to progress and prosperity.