Jim Turley

John Lemkemeier, a longtime Muny Board member, was elected Board Chair for a two-year term. Lemkemeier succeeds James Turley, retired Chairman & CEO from Ernst & Young, who served as Chair during the prior two years. Turley remains on the Muny Board and Executive Committee. Three newly elected Directors, Nicole Schnuck, Tamara Sheffield and Michael Torney, recently began their term.

On Friday, The Muny celebrated the successful completion of its Second Century Capital Campaign, raising over $100 million securing the future of the historic theatre in Forest Park.

The Arts and Education Council has announced eight honorees for the 2021 St. Louis Arts Awards. Now in its 30th year, the event honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the St. Louis region's arts community.

Nearly a year into the public phase of their Second Century Capital Campaign, The Muny announced today a progress update of $72 million raised to date of its $100 million goal. A first of its kind for the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre, the gifts acquired during this campaign will support capital improvements that include a complete rebuild of the Muny stage, extensive renovations to backstage support spaces, assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the aging 11.5-acre campus, and the growth of the theatre's endowment. The campaign will also aid in continuing The Muny's core mission of remaining accessible through its 1,500 free seats and Community Access Program.  

The Muny announced today its Second Century Capital Campaign, a $100 million fundraising effort that will fund major capital improvements, including a complete rebuild of the Muny stage, the support, maintenance and upkeep of the aging 11.5 acre campus, and the building of the theatre's endowment, which supports The Muny's ever- growing education and outreach programs. The ultimate goal of this campaign is to secure a robust and stable future for St. Louis' landmark theatre.

On Friday, November 13th, 2015 STAGES St. Louis celebrated the countdown to its 30th Anniversary Season at its fourteenth annual Applause! Gala, a benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. Applause! 2015 raised proceeds of over $320,000. This year's numbers came on the heels of a spectacular 29th Season, which exceeded revenue goals with nearly $2 million in ticket sales. Judy and Jerry Kent served as the event's Presenting Sponsors and Honorary Co-Chairs, with Lynne Turley as Committee Chairperson. STAGES stars Kari Ely and Steve Isom co-hosted the night.

On Monday, August 11th STAGES St. Louis hosted Cheers!, a one-night-only cabaret event benefiting the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. This year's theme, Broadway Goes Country, featured some of STAGES' favorite talents including Jacqueline Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar (currently playing in the hit production of Always... Patsy Cline). The show also featured cast members, Johmaalya Adelekan and Steve Isom from STAGES current mainstage production How To Succeed In Business..., and former TeamSTAGES members Broadway Actress Taylor Louderman and also Jeff Foster. Under the direction of STAGES Associate Artistic Director Stephen Bourneuf, this sixth annual Cabaret was fun, fresh, and financially successful, breaking all previous records.

Lee Nolting, artistic director of COCAdance, has mentored dozens of promising young students during her 35 years at COCA, with many going on to earn top spots at world-renowned dance companies. Among her former students is Antonio Douthit-Boyd, 32, a principal dancer with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which has performed for more than 23 million people worldwide. When Nolting receives an Excellence in the Arts award at the 2014 St. Louis Arts Awards on January 20, Douthit-Boyd will perform in a swirling ballet duet in tribute to her. His dance partner will be Alicia Graf Mack, a nationally recognized dance professional and Alvin Ailey principal dancer who at one time taught alongside Nolting at COCA.

On Friday, November 15, 2013 STAGES ST. LOUIS hosted the twelfth annual APPLAUSE! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton, a benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. APPLAUSE! 2013 raised proceeds of over $356,000. This year's numbers come on the heels of another record-breaking season, which generated nearly $2 million in ticket sales, out-grossing any season in STAGES' 27-year history. The event was hosted by STAGES stars Kari Ely and David Schmittou. Lynne Turley and Lisa Nichols served as event Co-Chairs.

On Monday, August 12th STAGES ST. LOUIS hosted Legally HOT,a one-night-only cabaret event benefiting the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. Legally HOT featured some of STAGES' favorite talents including Ben Nordstrom (currently playing Emmett in Legally Blonde, The Musical) and Zoe Vonder Haar (who played Louise in the recent hit production of Always... Patsy Cline). The show also featured cast members from Legally Blonde, The Musical, including Heather Jane Rolff (Paulette), Brandon Davidson (Warner), Stephen Barnowski, Melinda Cowan, Patch David, Joe Grandy, Julia Johanos, and Jonathan Kwock as they let off a little steam and beat the summer heat. Under the direction of STAGES Associate Artistic Director Stephen Bourneuf, with additional choreography by Ron Gibbs and Vince Pesce, this fifth annual Cabaret was fun, fresh, and financially successful, beating last year's record.

STAGES ST. LOUIS is thrilled to announce new staff appointments to STAGES' Turley Performing Arts Academy. Broadway Veteran, Vince Pesce will assume the position of Director of Education at STAGES Kent Center for Theatre Arts, the new state-of-the-art facility, effective immediately. Pesce replaces longtime Education Director Rob Grumich, who will remain during the transition through July. Also, Tali Allen Liddell will become the Manager of Community Programs and Partnerships.

STAGES ST. LOUIS previously announced that due to unprecedented patron demand and unanimous rave reviews, Always... Patsy Cline adds tonight, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. to its original production schedule, this is in addition to the added performance of Sunday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. Always... Patsy Cline had the largest advance of any production in the history of STAGES' 27 years and continues to SELL OUT performances on a daily basis. The production will also break all box office records. The audience is clamoring to return to see the production for a second time and is nightly stopping the show with thunderous applause with numbers like 'Crazy,' 'Lovesick Blues,' and 'Your Cheating Heart.'

STAGES ST. LOUIS has announced, due to unprecedented patron demand and unanimous rave reviews, Always... Patsy Cline will add Sunday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. to its original production schedule, this is in addition to the added performance of Sunday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. Always... Patsy Cline had the largest advance of any production in the history of STAGES' 27 years and continues to SELL OUT performances on a daily basis. The production will also break all box office records. The audience is clamoring to return to see the production for a second time and is nightly stopping the show with thunderous applause with numbers like 'Crazy,' 'Lovesick Blues,' and 'Your Cheating Heart.'

Monday night, at the National Corporate Theatre Fund's (NCTF) 2012 Annual Chairman's Awards Gala at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, NCTF launched its "Impact Creativity" campaign - a $5 million fundraising effort to support theatre education programs in 19 American cities impacting more than 500,000 youth - with a launch gift of $200,000 from Ernst & Young LLP and its partners and principals.

On August 15, 2011, STAGES ST. LOUIS hosted its third annual Cabaret fundraiser at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, a benefit for the organization's Education and Outreach Programs.

STAGES ST. LOUIS reports a new leader in box office ticket sales. The 2011 season opener and Pulitzer Prize winning musical A Chorus Line is now the all-time leader exceeding last season's previous top seller Promises, Promises.

STAGES ST. LOUIS, the region's foremost not-for-profit musical theatre company and performing arts academy, is thrilled to announce a $250,000 Challenge Grant honoring our Silver Anniversary!

National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) held its Annual Chairman's Awards Gala and benefit yesterday, Monday, April 19 at the St. Regis New York hotel. This year, NCTF Chairman James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO of Ernst & Young, honored Nathan Lane (currently starring on Broadway in The Addams Family), set designer Eugene Lee (Wicked) and Wells Fargo & Company. Accepting the award on behalf of Wells Fargo was Joe Kirk, Regional President for New York and Connecticut. All net proceeds of the event will be distributed as the NCTF/WELLS FARGO FUND FOR NEW AMERICAN THEATRE. Special guest Bette Middler stopped by to congratulate the nominees.

National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) held its Annual Chairman's Awards Gala and benefit yesterday, Monday, April 19 at the St. Regis New York hotel. This year, NCTF Chairman James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO of Ernst & Young, honored Nathan Lane (currently starring on Broadway in The Addams Family), set designer Eugene Lee (Wicked) and Wells Fargo & Company. Accepting the award on behalf of Wells Fargo was Joe Kirk, Regional President for New York and Connecticut. All net proceeds of the event will be distributed as the NCTF/WELLS FARGO FUND FOR NEW AMERICAN THEATRE.