The late Ken Page is surely somewhere smiling. The St. Louis native Broadway veteran who passed away last fall was introduced to musical theater through the free seats of The Muny.
The Muny will receive a major introduction to Broadway audiences next month when it receives the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award.
“For over a century, The Muny has been a cultural cornerstone of St. Louis, producing first-class musicals in a setting unlike any other,” said Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, president & CEO of The American Theatre Wing.
The honor was based on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association. Each year, a regional theatre company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally is recognized. The award is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank.
“With a deep commitment to accessibility, offering over 100,000 free tickets each season, and career development programs that nurture future theatre professionals, The Muny exemplifies the spirit of this award,” Laks and Hitchens added. “We are proud to celebrate a beloved American institution dedicated to one of our nation’s most treasured art forms.”
Now entering its 107th season in St. Louis, The Muny is a nonprofit committed to producing exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all, while continuing its remarkable tradition in Forest Park.
“We have had the unique privilege of enriching millions of lives over the past 107 years — often providing a first taste of the magic of live theatre,” said Muny President & CEO Kwofe Coleman. “It is gratifying to be recognized by our peers for the work we have done and will continue to do into the next century. We can’t wait to celebrate this tremendous honor with our subscribers, Muny Guarantors and patrons in a few short weeks.”
As the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, The Muny welcomes more than 300,000 patrons each summer for seven world-class productions under the stars.
“I can stand at the side of that house – from the free seats to the first row of box seats – there is such a large swath of the socio-economic representation of the city in one place,” Coleman previously told The American. “And for two or three hours, or however long the show is, it doesn’t matter who you are, how you got there or whatever means you have, when you leave this place, there is a shared singular experience that everyone is having. And to play any part in that means more than anything else.”
Returning to the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City, The 78th Annual Tony Awards will broadcast live to both coasts on Sunday, June 8 (7-10 p.m. CT) on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo will serve as this year’s host.
“The beautiful honor really goes to the generations of artists, craftspeople and administrators who have worked tirelessly to create great musical theatre for the people of St. Louis,” said Muny Artistic Director & Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “It is deeply moving and powerful to have their work honored by The Broadway League, The American Theater Wing and The American Theatre Critics Association.”
Just over a week after they receive the Tony, Season 107 at The Muny will get underway. This year opens with Bring It On: The Musical (June 16-22) and includes Come From Away (June 26-July 2), Disney’s Frozen (July 6-14), Evita (July 18-24), Dear Evan Hansen (July 28-Aug. 3), La Cage aux Folles (Aug. 8-14) and Jersey Boys (Aug. 18-24).
New season tickets start at just $126 and are on sale now at muny.org/season-tickets and at the Muny Box Office, located at 1 Theatre Drive in Forest Park. Single-performance tickets go on sale May 19.
For more information, visit www.muny.org
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
