The Muny, or the Municipal Opera Association of St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States, is a not-for-profit municipally-owned outdoor theatre, the largest in the United States. The Theater was built and opened in 1917 with 6 performances of Verdi's Aida. It operates solely in the summer, and its first official season ran from June to August 1919. In the beginning, it presented the latest operas of the time, calling on local performers and national celebrities alike to perform for a short run of a one to, on occasion, three week run. More recently, however, the Muny has shifted to presenting musicals, some old, some new, and some of the Muny's own creation.
Here follows a list of the many shows that the Muny has presented in its summer seasons, with known dates included. The Muny is currently in its 93rd season (for the summer of 2011).
Interesting patterns in the repertory include that the 1919 season was the only one to hold all new productions (being the first season). The 1946 and 1993 seasons, in contrast, have been the only summers where no new shows were added to the repertory.
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The superscript notes below denote first productions (premieres), world premieres, in-season concerts, etc. at the Muny.
Muny Premiere: MP
World Premiere at the Muny: WP
Concert Presentation: C
Ballet/Dance Event: B
Ice Show: I
Original Revue: R
^1 Featuring mayor Henry Kiel as King Richard
^2 This was the first production of the Verdi opera in a complete season. It had been previously performed in 1917 in the newly-built amphitheater for the 13th Annual Convention of the St. Louis Advertising Club.
^3 Production starring W.C. Fields as Captain Andy.
^4 Film actor Cary Grant, appearing under his real name Archibald Leach, was a repertory performer during the 1931 season before starting his screen career. In addition to The Street Singer, Grant appeared in Music in May, Nina Rosa, The Three Musketeers, A Wonderful Night, Irene and Rio Rita.
^5 Production starring Red Skelton.
^6 New production for the Muny based on the 1939 MGM film; adapted by Frank Gabrielson.[1]
^7 Production featuring Marge Champion.
^8 Production featuring Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch.
^9 Production featuring Eddie Albert as Harold Hill.
^10 Production featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
^11 Production featuring Ethel Merman as Sally Adams.
^12 Production featuring Florence Henderson as Maria.
^13 Production featuring Brad Holiday.
^14 Productions featuring Ray Walston as Applegate and Luther Billis, respectively.
^15 Production featuring Joel Grey as the Emcee.
^16 The original Broadway company closed for a week to perform a special limited engagement at the Muny.
^17 Pre-Broadway tour featuring Angela Lansbury as Rose.
^18 Production featuring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall.
^19 Production featuring Carol Lawrence.
^20 Production featuring Zero Mostel as Tevye.
^21 Production featuring Angela Lansbury as Mame Dennis and Jane Connell as Agnes Gooch.
^22 Pre-Broadway tryout featuring Patti LuPone as Geneviève.
^23 Production featuring Carol Channing as Dolly Levi.
^24 Production featuring Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn.
^25 Production featuring Ann Blyth.
^26 Production featuring Marsha Mason and Walter Cronkite.
^27 Production featuring Carol Channing and Robert Morse.
^28 Production featuring Judy Kaye, John Reardon, John Schuck, Lorene Yarnell and Lawrence Leritz.
^29 Production featuring Gavin McLeod.
^30 Production of the Tchaikovsky ballet.
^31 Production featuring Eddie Bracken as Captain Andy.
^32 Production featuring Tony Randall.
^33 Pre-Broadway tour featuring Tyne Daly as Rose.
^34 Production featuring Joel Higgins and Victoria Mallory.
^35 Production featuring Jeanne Trevor.
^36 Production featuring Joel Grey and Gretchen Wyler.
^37 Production featuring a concert staging of The Merry Widow.
^46 Adaptation of the fairy tale by executive producer Paul Blake utilizing songs by Sammy Cahn.
^38 World Premiere adaptation of the 1953 film.
^39 Production featuring original direction and choreography recreated by Mitzi Hamilton.
^40 Special 80th Season Revue featuring the Radio City Rockettes.
^41 Pre-Broadway tour featuring Cathy Rigby in the title role.
^42 Production featuring Bruce Adler as Bela Zangler, a role he originated in the original Broadway company.
^43 Revue written by executive producer Paul Blake compiling the many works of British songwriters such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lionel Bart.
^44 Production featuring Karen Morrow as Reno Sweeney and Bruce Adler as Moonface Martin.
^47 Revue written by executive producer Paul Blake compiling the many works of composer Richard Rodgers.
^48 World Premiere of the stage adaptation of Irving Berlin's classic film, directed and produced by Paul Blake.
^49 Production featuring Michael McGrath as Pseudolus and Bruce Adler as Hysterium.
^50 World Premiere of the stage adaptation of the film, directed and produced by Paul Blake.
^51 Production featuring Ozzie Smith in the title role.
^52 Revue written by executive producer Paul Blake compiling the many works of songwriters George and Ira Gershwin.
^53 Production with original direction and choreography recreated by Mitzi Hamilton.
^54 Revue written by executive producer Paul Blake compiling songs from numerous films.
^55 Production featuring Michael McGrath as J. Pierrepont Finch and Karen Morrow as Smitty.
^56 Production directed by Thommie Walsh and choreographed by Liza Gennaro.
^57 Production featuring Nat Chandler as Lancelot, Kim Crosby as Guenevere, and Joneal Joplin as Merlyn.
^58 Production featuring Eric Kunze as Joseph and Judy McLane as the Narrator.