MUNY 2015 — Page 2

I wasn't terribly excited about some of the musicals chosen this season, but of course they come out with these casting announcements and I am suddenly thrilled and anxious for the season to start.

Seeing Rob McCLure at the Muny is always a treat, I am VERY excited to see him back for two shows, especially as The Baker.

A few notes for anyone interested:

We have season tickets in the 3rd row of B, and I do like to have binoculars to look through as it is truly an immense venue (I just sneak a peek through them a couple times during the show, so I can see some of the details I would otherwise miss). We moved up to one of the back rows of A during intermission of a show last year, and the view was much improved, despite not moving THAT far forward.

It is still hot, but the fans make things MUCH better and they are pretty much silent.

If you went to the Muny pre-2012 and weren't impressed, I would recommend giving it another shot. I remember thinking the costume and scene design were terribly amateur when I first started going, but I really do believe that Mike Isaacson has raised the bar a considerable amount.

The last show I saw at The Muny was Les Mis two years ago. Hugh Panero played Valjean and Norm Lewis was Javert. After seeing the show multiple times on tour in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City, The Muny's may be my favorite. True, the place it absolutely gigantic, but the sound is great and sitting outside in Forrest Park on a warm summer night taking in a great show is something special (when Lewis belted out "Stars" you could actually look up and see stars overhead, no twinkling lights were needed behind him).

It's a great theater and they bring in phenomenal talent. I can't wait to see what they do with Into the Woods.

That looks like one of the MUNY's better productions in recent years... I'd love to hear some reviews!

I'm looking at seats right now, and these are my choices:

- BOX 10, ROW H, Seats 1 & 2

- A4, ROW J, Seats 109 & 110

- A1, ROW D (Which is the first row of that section), Seats 39 & 37

Any advice with these seats in mind would be great! I was leaning toward Box 10. It's like 6th row but all the way to the right side.

I'm just conflicted. I'm kind of a snob when it comes to sitting in the Orchestra at indoor theaters. I usually prefer not to sit farther back than Row J in a traditional theater. They really should have a "view from this section" button like some cites do now. That would really help in my decision! I think I am leaning towards A4. I will bring binoculars just in case. If anyone has any other opinions about the seats I listed feel free to chime in :)

I agree with the others - you really don't want to be on the far sides. Go with A4. Our tickets are in B7* and it is great being right in the center. I do use binoculars often, which allows me to see the little details that I would otherwise miss.

*Haven't convinced my husband to upgrade to A yet, still trying!

I had pretty low expectations for Holiday Inn and was pleasantly surprised - it was lovely. Even my husband admitted he liked it (that happens quite rarely).

Updated On: 7/13/15 at 02:50 PM

"Well, I just grabbed a seat smack in the middle of A4 for this Friday night! Honestly, I can hardly wait! I doubt there is one, but is there such thing as a stage door at the Muny? I'd love to try and get pictures with Erin Dilly, Rob McClure, and Heather Headley. "

Yes there is! I have never stopped there but I know many people who have. Rob definitely signs and I'm sure many of the others will too.

Leave the theatre on the right side (when you are facing the stage). It will be on the left hand side when you go down the walkway. It's labeled "Backstage" and there's a gate (I think...) You should be able to find it easily.

Good luck and enjoy the show! Some of the local media were there yesterday for the sitzprobe. This cast is incredible and the Muny orchestra is fantastic. I am so pumped for the show!

Updated On: 7/20/15 at 10:28 AM

The stage door/gate is easy to spot because of all the people standing around it after shows. In addition to regular audience members there to meet the cast, the crowd seems to be made up largely of family/friends of ensemble members, many of whom are from the area. For shows that have the Muny Kids/Teens in them, the stage door crowd is noticeably bigger, as well, because their families are often waiting for them there.

I've only actually "stage doored" once at the Muny, last year to say hello to an acquaintance who was in one of the shows. My husband and I always walk out that way, though, so the crowds are a familiar sight and I've seen a few cast members signing and posing for pictures with audience members as we've walked by.

I see all the shows because I review them for my blog, and I've enjoyed all of them this year. The productions have gotten much better in the last few years, since Mike Isaacson took over as Executive Director. I actually enjoyed BUDDY a lot more than I expected to, but INTO THE WOODS is the one I've been looking forward to the most.

We are aiming for the free seats next Monday....

Thank you, rawrali! I appreciate the nice comments!

And gleek4114, you can find my blog at www.snoopstheatrethoughts.com. I review productions from many St. Louis theatre companies in addition to the Muny.

Editing to answer the question about the weather.

It has been unusually rainy in St. Louis this summer, and I'm fairly sure the Muny has had to cancel a few times, more than usual. For the most part, though, they try not to cancel and will delay the show for an hour to an hour and a half in hopes that the weather will clear up. They only cancel if they absolutely have to.

Updated On: 7/21/15 at 11:06 PM

The free seats open at 7 - and they say lines start at 4. We can't get there before 6. And still need to find opera glasses - unless they still rent them at The Muny.