The Muny Celebrates Tony Award Win with Star-Studded Season
A regional theater’s success story is unfolding in St. Louis, as The Muny, a venerable outdoor theater in its 107th season, basks in the glow of a recent Tony Award for regional theater. The win was marked by celebrations including a barbecue, energetic cheerleaders, and a surprise visit from acclaimed composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The significance of the award resonated deeply with the entire Muny staff. According to the theater’s artistic director, Mike Isaacson, the arrival of the Tony Award statuette prompted an immediate staff-wide barbecue. “People brought their families and they could take pictures with [the Tony],” Isaacson shared on the latest episode of “Stagecraft,” Variety’s theater podcast. “The sense of connection to it was amazing, and the impact of it has been far deeper than I anticipated.”
Just one week after receiving the prestigious honor, The Muny launched its new season with a vibrant production of “Bring It On.” The opening night, on June 16, featured a high-energy performance complete with impressive stunts performed by a large cast of cheerleaders. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the musical’s Broadway creative team – including Miranda, Tom Kitt, and Amanda Green – were in attendance, with Miranda personally addressing the audience and praising the theater’s legacy.
The fast-paced schedule at The Muny means “Bring It On” has already concluded its run, making way for “Come From Away,” which begins performances on June 26. This production marks the second of seven shows planned for the 11,000-seat venue this summer, with upcoming performances of “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Frozen,” and “Evita” also on the calendar.
Isaacson described the unique atmosphere at The Muny as reminiscent of “the MGM backlot in the ’40s,” a bustling environment where collaboration is key. “You walk in and everybody’s working, and you meet everybody at the canteen, and the people who run the canteen know everybody’s names,” he explained. “It’s this beautiful summer camp, but it is also very clear this is a communal effort.”
The theater’s remarkably swift 12-day rehearsal period—a necessity given the ambitious schedule—was also discussed. Isaacson playfully noted that this accelerated timeline “eliminates the bullshit,” fostering a focused and efficient creative process. He also offered a glimpse into the innovative engineering behind the venue’s outdoor air conditioning system, hinting at inspiration drawn from both Dubai and the design of whale fins.
For those interested in a deeper dive into the inner workings of The Muny and Isaacson’s insights, the full conversation is available on the “Stagecraft” podcast. New episodes are released every other week and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Broadway Podcast Network.
