ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Muny's 2020 season is over before it began.
Managing Director Kwofe Coleman says the trouble is they couldn't have played with actors wearing face masks, and couldn't guarantee the safety of the audience in their seats or milling around at intermission.
"It's a difficult choice, it's the first time this has happened in our 102 year history but its also the right choice," Coleman told KMOX's Kevin Killeen.
This year's shows would have included the Sound of Music, Chicago, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The plan is to shift the entire lineup to next summer.
"We'll see you next year! We're going to miss you and we're going to miss the opportunity to gather," Coleman said.
In lieu of the originally announced 2020 season lineup, a complete schedule of virtual alternative programming will be announced soon. This lineup will include digital broadcasts of past Muny Magic at The Sheldon performances, and a new series featuring Muny friends and family from around the world.
“We are all heartbroken, but this is the right decision for our community and everyone on and backstage in our Muny family,” says Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer, Mike Isaacson. “For 102 years, The Muny has provided St. Louisans with amazing entertainment and joyous memories, and even though we cannot be together in Forest Park this summer, we are committed to continuing this summer tradition for our audience.”
Beginning June 15, the originally scheduled season opening date, The Muny will – for five consecutive Mondays – broadcast five installments of their off-season cabaret Muny Magic at The Sheldon. Starting with Beth Leavel’s series premiere performance from 2015, the entire lineup will be announced soon. Additionally, beginning July 20, The Muny will produce special online performances with more information to come at a later date.
“We hope this virtual alternative programming will showcase how even when our audience isn’t in our seats, they are in our hearts,” Isaacson says.