Updated at 2:20 p.m. with shows from the Muny's planned season 鈥� plans to produce a seven-show season next year that would run from July through early September, the theater鈥檚 officials announced Monday. But the season will only take place if the coronavirus is less of a threat and officials allow large gatherings again.
鈥淚f those things take place by the time we start, then we鈥檒l be able to do this,鈥� Managing Director Kwofe Coleman said. 鈥淭here are so many factors that are out of our control that are in play here.鈥�
The theater is preparing for a best-case scenario in which it can stage all the shows originally scheduled for this year, before Muny leaders because of the virus.
A return of live performances would depend on a determination by St. Louis officials that large public gatherings are safe and that social distancing is no longer necessary to keep theatergoers safe from spread of the virus.
The planned July 5 start date is a few weeks later than in past years. It is the latest date the theater could begin its season and have time to produce all seven shows by Labor Day. The theater needs about 10 weeks' notice to fully gear up for the season, Coleman said.
鈥淭he thought of having our Muny family and audience together again next summer makes my heart soar," Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson said in a statement. "The passion, energy and talent that so many put into a Muny show will be through the non-existent roof next summer. Let's do it."
The season will include performances of:
- 鈥淪even Brides for Seven Brothers鈥� (July 5 to 11)
- 鈥淒isney and Cameron Mackintosh鈥檚 Mary Poppins鈥� (July 14 to 22)
- 鈥淪mokey Joe鈥檚 Cafe鈥� (July 25 to 31)
- 鈥淭he Sound of Music鈥� (Aug. 3 to 9)
- 鈥淪weeney Todd鈥� (Aug. 12 to 18)
- 鈥淥n Your Feet!鈥� (Aug. 21 to 27)
- 鈥淐hicago鈥� (Aug. 30 to Sept. 5)
Even if safety conditions are met, Coleman said, he鈥檚 not able to predict how willing theatergoers will be to be part of large crowds. The Muny seats up to 11,000 people.
鈥淓ven with a vaccine present, the public appetite to go out is yet to be determined,鈥� Coleman said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檒l provide the environment so long as it鈥檚 safe, and hopefully people will appreciate that and come out.鈥�
He said that the theater could shorten its schedule if a safe start is only possible later in the summer. Last year, the theater reduced its schedule to five shows before canceling the season once it became apparent that the pandemic would make it impossible to proceed.
It staged a series of 10 performances available through web streams instead. A combined audience of 189,582 viewed them, according to the Muny.
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