ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (KMOX) - The Muny is opening up for 2021. The outdoor theater in Forest Park announced they will drop plans for 60-percent capacity in favor of allowing all 11,000 seats to be filled. Managing Director Kwofe Coleman is excited about the sudden change, telling KMOX, "Come July 26th, those lights are going to go on and it's going to feel great for everyone. And it's going to suggest we're definitely looking at this pandemic in the rear-view mirror,... and that's important for the world."
The expansion to full capacity came after recent updates to CDC guidance and consulting with the City of St. Louis Health Department. Coleman says, "Even though they didn't have to approve the plans at this point, we stayed in connection with the City of St. Louis and the Health Department, and just evaluated the information before us as the health landscape continues to improve." He says it was just a few days ago they were ready to proceed with the 60-percent figure. The Director says it's important to have The Muny providing shows in the way people have become accustomed to over the course of 103 years. He noted the Cardinals baseball team is also getting back to full capacity soon. "We're back, the Cardinals are back. It's starting to feel like summer again in St. Louis, which we all know is a special time."
The Muny will be allowing season ticket holders to resume sitting in the seats many of them have held for decades. There also will be 1,500 free seats available on a first-come, first serve basis each night. Tickets are on sale at the non-profit's website www.muny.org. It is a condensed season, due to the pandemic. The shows begin with "Smokey Joe's Cafe" July 26 - August 1, "The Sound of Music" August 3 - 9, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" August 12 - 18, "On Your Feet!" August 21 - 27, and "Chicago" August 30 - September 5.
Patrons who have not been fully vaccinated are asked to wear masks, but the theater company is not going to be policing that. Director Coleman says The Muny has been ready to withstand the financial hit having a reduced capacity would cause, but opening up to full capacity is an added blessing. It's his last season as Managing Director before taking over as President and CEO for Denny Reagan in January.
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved