The Muny - in Saint Louis Forest Park

The Muny
in Forest Park

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Fall colors frame the Nathan Frank Bandstand on Pagoda Island in front of The Muny, built in a classic Renaissance design with white marble columns, bronze railings and ornaments.

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$1 Million Donation for The Muny's Café One Project
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), January 7, 2012 - Audiences at The Muny in Forest Park will be invited to enjoy refreshments and pre-show entertainment in a completely renovated concession and new performance area, thanks to a generous $1 million donation from The David B. Lichtenstein Foundation.

In a release, Davida B. Layer, President of The Lichtenstein Foundation said, "The Muny is committed to presenting world-class musical theatre accessible for everyone in our community, and we are delighted to help with funding for the Café One project. We believe that the pre-show experience, including refreshments and entertainment, should be of the highest quality, equal to what is presented on the stage."

Christine Ivcich, former Director of Development for The Muny, worked with David and Doris Lichtenstein of The Lichtenstein to establish Lichtenstein Plaza in 2004. The Plaza features upgraded concessions, restrooms and amenities and welcomes audience members to the upper terrace seating. This most recent generous gift for the Café One project continues The Lichtenstein Foundation tradition of helping The Muny welcome and comfortably host audience members.

"The re-imagined Café One concession and performance area will allow us to offer a greatly improved and more enjoyable audience experience," stated to Dennis M. Reagan, President and CEO of The Muny. "The eastern entrance is used by more than 60% of our nightly audience and this project will enhance their arrival, allowing us to present professional, small ensemble pre-show entertainment opportunities as well as improving the quality and capacity of our concessions.

Planning will take place in 2012, construction is scheduled for fall of 2013 and opening night audiences will be welcomed into the new Café One in 2014.

The Muny began in 1916 in Forest Park with a tribute to William Shakespeare. As You Like It, produced by Shakespearean actress Margaret Walsh Anglin featured over 200 St. Louisians playing a variety of roles on a gently sloping hill.

In 1917, concrete was poured for the production of Aida by Guy Golterman of the St. Louis Grand Opera Committee. The success of that event prompted St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel to formally establish the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis in 1919.

From the beginning, The Muny set aside 1,456 free seats at the back of the theatre in order for the shows to be affordable to all. During its history, The Muny has produced and presented grand operas, concerts, operettas and ballet troupes.

The Muny is located on Theatre Drive, just north of the Jewel Box. In front of the entrance to The Muny, patrons and visitors to the park can enjoy the serene beauty of The Pagoda which is surrounded by water.

In 1998, The Muny completed the renovation of the stage area and backstage area as part of it Capital Improvement Campaign. Over $3 million was spent on new concession stands and doubling the number of womens bathrooms. In 2000, nearly 12,000 seats were replaced at the outdoor amphitheatre and the parking lots were resurfaced. A plaza was added east of the entrance. The area surrounding the Pagoda and the entrance was landscaped with plants, antique lights, sidewalks and bridges featuring decorative columns.

The tradition of The Muny continues with Broadway musicals from mid-June through mid-August in Forest Park. For more information, call 314-361-1900.

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