The Muny, the outdoor theatre located in St. Louis, Missouri, will undergo an estimated $9.5 million renovation at the end of its forthcoming 2026 season.
The project will overhaul the venue's nearly 11,000-seat auditorium, upgrading aging seats, replacing deteriorating concrete, and improving stormwater drainage. The existing 25-year-old theatre seats, which have reached the end of their lifespan, are scheduled for removal in September 2026. Construction will be completed before the start of the 109th Muny season in June 2027.
The renovation will also address long-term maintenance demands while enhancing the audience experience. Opportunities are being explored to create premium configurations in some seating areas. The project will also improve sightlines, replace all theatre railings, and add cupholders for seats in the front row. Additionally, the sound mix area will be reconfigured to improve functionality and accommodate future technological needs.
“This is a transformational project for our theatre and our audience,” said Muny President and CEO Kwofe Coleman in a statement. “It’s a Muny-size undertaking, and we’re incredibly grateful to the donors whose support makes it possible to care for our historic home and prepare it for the future.”
“The ambitious $100 million Second Century Capital Campaign transformed our production and administrative areas, bringing The Muny into the 21st century,” Coleman added. “This next round of vital improvements will keep Muny patrons in the best seats in the house while also protecting our theatre’s infrastructure and planting us on solid ground for future generations.”
To address drainage and sightline issues, a small net reduction in the number of seats will be necessary. But with more than 10,000 seats, The Muny will remain America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre.
A limited number of The Muny’s old theatre seats will be available for purchase starting December 8. Reserve a pair for $500 by visiting Muny.org.
Season 108 at The Muny will launch June 15 and continue through August 23. The lineup will include Hairspray, Shrek The Musical, South Pacific, Disney’s Newsies, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Something Rotten!
