The Muny has just released a preview for the upcoming production LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. A true classic of camp comedy, this is the musical that's sure to grow on you! For information call (314) 361-1900 , or visit our website at www.muny.org. To charge tickets by phone, call (314) 534-1111. Check out production shots below!

The Muny has just released a preview for the upcoming production LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. A true classic of camp comedy, this is the musical that's sure to grow on you! For information call (314) 361-1900 , or visit our website at www.muny.org. To charge tickets by phone, call (314) 534-1111. Click below o check it out!

I'm a big fan of lowbrow horror and science fiction films, especially those made between the 1930's and late 1970's, and I've always enjoyed the work of cult director/producer Roger Corman. The original 1960 film version of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, was supposedly shot in four days, and it downright bristles with a sense of energy and cheap thrills, even though the budget was a mere pittance compared to what's spent on the blockbusters we witness today. Howard Ashman (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken (music) took the basic premise put forward by writer Charles Griffith and crafted a very clever and funny off-Broadway musical which, in turn, spawned a rather lackluster and overblown movie version. So, it was with some trepidation that I looked forward to The Muny's current production. It's simply not a big splashy affair, and it would seem to benefit most from a smaller venue. Happily, they do the show justice, and the expansive stage that allows for larger production numbers doesn't get in the way of the simpleness of the story.

The movie version of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is one of my all-time favorites. It has such an upbeat feel and infectious sense of humor that it's almost disappointing when you finish watching it, step outside, and it isn't raining. Happily, the stage version retains a great deal of the tone and vivacity that the movie contains, even though this kind of reverse-engineering usually winds up a mixed bag at best. But, The Muny's current production, even with the sweltering heat we're currently enduring, is worth braving the broiling for, with winning performances and a bevy of familiar hummable tunes that haven't lost a bit of their original charm.

You remember the plot. You love the characters. You know 'the song.' It's no less than the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time. 1920s Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN plays the Muny July 18 - 24.

You remember the plot. You love the characters. You know 'the song.' It's no less than the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time. 1920s Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN plays July 18 - 24.

When initially transforming Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale THE LITTLE MERMAID into an animated film, Disney provided an instant classic that was a smash hit with children and adults (and was a key player in their animation revival). But the transition to the stage proved more troublesome and cumbersome, reworking many plot elements, inserting about a dozen or so songs, and adding about an hour to the film's 80 minutes or so (depending on the version is being viewed) running time. While there's no denying that the audience who braved the heat and humidity in vast numbers at The Muny to see this colorful spectacle had a good time, there's also no denying that a good deal of the original's charm was somehow lost in the process.

Following closely on the heels of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' sparkling 1950's update of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, audiences at the Muny get the unique opportunity to compare and contrast the original with the musical remake as KISS ME KATE takes the stage in wondrous fashion. The chance to hear a swinging ensemble play Cole Porter's terrific score is reason enough to take in this production of Kiss Me Kate, but when you add in the eye-catching costumes, enthusiastic performances and lively dance numbers, you have the complete package.

For those who haven't seen the film or the musical verion of LEGALLY BLOND, the plot revolves around a rich Malibu Barbie, who comes complete with an ever-present pink ensemble, named Elle Woods, who's blindly and blissfully in love with the man of her dreams. When he decides to dump her and head off to Harvard Law School, Elle follows, but as a fellow student. Her iron will and steadfast devotion allow her, thanks to the support of her friends, to apply and enter Harvard. Apparently, her deep abiding love is reason enough to allow her entrance into this prestigious academy. Once enrolled, she actually begins to excel, thanks in part to the interests of third year student Emmett Forrest.

Season Tickets for The Muny's 93rd spectacular season in Forest Park go on sale Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 am. The 2011 season features 7 Muny-sized musicals, showcasing elaborate sets and costumes, the outstanding Muny ensemble, and the country's largest resident musical theatre orchestra. Beginning at $56 for all seven shows, Season Tickets assure reserved seats in the event of a sold-out performance. To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900 extension 550, or order online at www.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Season Tickets for The Muny's 93rd spectacular season in Forest Park go on sale Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 am. The 2011 season features 7 Muny-sized musicals, showcasing elaborate sets and costumes, the outstanding Muny ensemble, and the country's largest resident musical theatre orchestra. Beginning at $56 for all seven shows, Season Tickets assure reserved seats in the event of a sold-out performance. To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900 extension 550, or order online at www.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Auditions for The Muny's 2011 Adult Singing and Dancing Chorus will be Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13. They will be held at the Performing Arts Center at St. Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Avenue, between Kingshighway and Macklind. For further information, call The Muny at 314-361-1900, or visit www.muny.org.

Auditions for The Muny's 2011 Adult Singing and Dancing Chorus will be Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13. They will be held at the Performing Arts Center at St. Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Avenue, between Kingshighway and Macklind. For further information, call The Muny at 314-361-1900, or visit www.muny.org.

The National Tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ announced that the MUNY KIDS will perform the roles of "munchkins" while this beloved classic is live on stage in their hometown!

The National Tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ announced that the MUNY KIDS will perform the roles of "munchkins" while this beloved classic is live on stage in their hometown!

The Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis (The Muny) announced today that Mike Isaacson will become Executive Producer for The Muny beginning with the 2012 season.

When I started writing this review I had Turner Classics on, and it just so happened they were playing SHOW BOAT. Funny how that works sometimes, when you've just seen a splendid live performance of a show the night before, and the next evening you stumble across Hollywood's take on the material. Seeing it live is always better, I think, and SHOW BOAT has a definite history with the Muny, a fact clearly reflected by the numerous stagings it's had since its initial appearance in 1930. But, that's to be expected, since this is the perfect venue for Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's memorable adaptation of Edna Ferber's sprawling novel. And as such, it provides us with a particularly grand finale for the Muny's 2010 season.

Show Boat (August 9-15) will close out The Muny's season, and feature Michel Bell (Joe), Georgia Engel (Parthy Anne), and Gary Beach (Captain Andy).

I remember seeing FOOTLOOSE in a theatre back in 1984, and I think I actually enjoyed it. I even have a cassette of the soundtrack somewhere, although I don't remember ever purchasing it. Still, it's the type of movie that can be easily tweaked for translation to the stage since the songs are already in place (for the most part), and the plot blends dance with romance. It is an undeniably infectious combination, especially for those of us who grew up with this music, for better or worse.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually saw the stage version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Of course, I'd been exposed to the movie version long before that, but I never really enjoyed watching it until they started letterboxing the film for broadcast presentations, because the 'pan and scan' versions always ruined the beautiful vistas captured by the cinematographer. But, you don't have to worry about that at the Muny, which offers up its own 'widescreen' take on this classic musical (it is a big stage, after all), producing a solid and enjoyable outing fit for the entire family.

Stephanie J. Block, Ken Page, and Lara Teeter are currently starring in CATS at St. Louis's Muny. Block plays Grizabella, while Page plays Old Deuteronomy and Teeter plays Munkustrap. The production opened at the Muny on July 19 and runs through July 25, with all performances at 8:15pm. Click below to hear Block and Page talk everything CATS at the Muny below!

Despite the fact that I'm not exactly what you'd call a fan of the show CATS, I've always tried to keep an open mind whenever I've attended a production of it (just as I would with any other show I'm not particularly fond of), because you never know when you're going to be beguiled by an especially well done presentation that confounds your expectations. The Muny's current production of CATS does just that, and I have to admit that I enjoyed it more than any of the other versions I've seen to this point.

Stephanie J. Block, Ken Page, and Lara Teeter will star in CATS at St. Louis's Muny. Block will play Grizabella, while Page will play Old Deuteronomy and Teeter will play Munkustrap. The production will run at the Muny from July 19 to July 25, with all performances at 8:15pm.

St. Louis is a baseball town, of that there can be no doubt. We live and die with our beloved Cardinals, ever optimistic that if we don't win this year, we'll give it our best shot the next. So, with our national pastime taking it's annual hiatus for the All-Star game, this is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out the best musical ever written about the subject; DAMN YANKEES. And, don't fret about the weather, even an impressive light show by Mother Nature wasn't enough to stop the show or dampen the audience's spirit on opening night at the Muny.

The Muny will present DAMN YANKEES through July 18, 2010. The cast will be lead by Eric Kunze (Joe Hardy), Angie L/ Shworer (Lola), and Lewis J. Stadlen (Applegate), and Leslie Kritzer (Gloria Thorpe.) The production is being directed at the open-air theater by Paul Blake and will feature choreography by Mary MacLeod.