John Metzner News

The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Mamma Mia! directed by Dan Knechtges, choreographed by Jessica Hartman and music directed by Michael Horsley.

The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Young Frankenstein directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Rhodes and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

The Muny presents OKLAHOMA!, which began performances on August 10 and runs through August 16, 2015, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcherrestages Stroman's choreography. Meet Jenni Barber (who plays Ado Annie) in the video below!

The Muny presents OKLAHOMA!, which began performances on August 10 and runs through August 16, 2015, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcherrestages Stroman's choreography. BroadwayWorld has a first look at some backstage shots below!

It's most certainly a renowned and respected classic of musical theatre, and the fact is that it's so popular that you're likely to find a production playing somewhere in the world at any given moment. One of my early reviewing assignments was covering the show back in 2007, the last time it played here. Of course, I'm talking about Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic OKLAHOMA!. This lovingly rendered production breathes new life into a show that's an absolute natural for the outdoor setting that The MUNY's stage provides. See it, and be enriched by a vibrant presentation that's a perfect way to introduce your family to the considerable charms of this musical, as well as the venue staging it!

The Muny presents OKLAHOMA!, which began performances on August 10 and runs through August 16, 2015, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcherrestages Stroman's choreography. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast partying the night away below!

The Muny presents OKLAHOMA!, which began performances on August 10 and runs through August 16, 2015, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcherrestages Stroman's choreography. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast partying the night away below!

The Muny presents its production of Oklahoma! (August 10-16) directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher will restage Ms. Stroman's choreography.

The Muny presents OKLAHOMA!, which began performances on August 10 and runs through August 16, 2015, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher restages Stroman's choreography. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Oklahoma! (August 10 -16) directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher will restage Ms. Stroman's choreography.

BroadwayWorld and The Muny present a backstage look at Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which is running through August 7, 2015. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved family classic is directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Vince Pesce and music directed by Ben Whiteley. Check out all the backstage shots below!

Kate Rockwell (Belle) is proud to be The William & Kerry Holekamp Star Performer. Kate is so thrilled to return to The Muny after playing Jane in last year's Tarzan! Check out the video below!

Just in! BroadwayWorld and The Muny present a first look at highlights of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which is running through August 7, 2015. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved family classic is directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Vince Pesce and music directed by Ben Whiteley. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Just in!  BroadwayWorld and The Muny present a first look at Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which is running through August 7, 2015. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved family classic is directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Vince Pesce and music directed by Ben Whiteley.  Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Chicago, Maine, New Orleans and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include Ogunquit's NICE WORK, DAMES AT SEA at The Winter Playhouse, and LIZA in New Orleans, just to name a few.

Each year The MUNY makes it a point to present a full-blown musical that's aimed at the younger set. This year it's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which was given the patented Disney treatment when adapted for the stage from their own 1991 animated film. So, it retains plenty of the elements that made the film so successful, while also featuring some additional songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, some of which were cut from the movie. There's no denying the appeal of this material, and it's a perfect way to introduce kids to the wonders of live theatre in such a lovely setting, and on such a grand scale.

The Muny's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast begins tonight, July 29, and runs through August 7, 2015. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved family classic is directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Vince Pesce and music directed by Ben Whiteley.

I purposely avoided the recent film version of INTO THE WOODS because I really didn't find the previews or the stunt casting appropriate. For me, it's a work that requires an audience to use their imagination to a great extent, and movies tend to give form to those things that are much better left conjured up in your own mind. That's why my son and I absolutely loved The MUNY's current presentation of the show. Let's face it, a woodland setting created utilizing green screen technology and a few key set pieces is nowhere near as effective at conveying the atmosphere desired, especially when you already have those actual elements growing freely at the back of this marvelous outdoor stage. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) crafted a brilliant mash-up of several fairy tales and fables that is smart, funny, and, ultimately, touching. When I asked my boy what he thought of the show at the end of the night he neatly summed it up: 'I thought it was awesome!' I agree wholeheartedly. Superbly cast and conceived, this is a production that's simply tailor made for The MUNY. Go see it, and take your kids with you! It may have a few moments that are a bit gruesome or adult in content, but they'll have a wonderful time, and so will you!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below! The cast includes Heather Headley (Witch), Erin Dilly (Baker's Wife), Rob McClure (Baker), Ken Page (Narrator), Andrew Samonsky (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Elena Shaddow (Cinderella) and Ryan Silverman (Rapunzel's Prince), will be Jason Gotay (Jack), Ellen Harvey (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sara Kapner (Little Red Ridinghood), Samantha Massell (Rapunzel), Michael McCormick (Mysterious Man/Cinderella's Father) and Zoe Vonder Haar (Jack's Mother). Rounding out this incredible cast are Anna Blair (Granny/Cinderella's Stepmother), Jennifer Diamond (Florinda), Gary Glasgow (Steward), Maggie Lakis (Milky White) and April Strelinger (Lucinda).

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below!