As summer descends, while New Yorkers chase the sun and sandy beaches, a swarm of Broadway talents veers off to St. Louis, a charming but muggy summer refuge known for its unpredictable storms and sweltering heat.

What pulls them to this landlocked paradise is The Muny, a storied outdoor musical theater nestled in Forest Park. With a seating capacity of nearly 11,000, it dazzles audiences with a whirlwind of seven productions over just ten weeks. Despite the challenging weather, actors who return every year vouch for the experience as nothing short of magical.

The Muny honors the dedication of its cast and crew, who manage to deliver Broadway-caliber performances under tight deadlines. It stands as a beloved cultural landmark in St. Louis, where generations have cherished summer nights, making it as iconic as the Gateway Arch.

Mike Isaacson, the Muny’s artistic director, emphasizes the collaborative effort, saying, “Everyone has worked so hard because we believed in what this could mean for our community.”

While local talent graces the stage and backstage, as June approaches, Broadway stars also migrate west. Jessica Vosk, who has performed at The Muny for three consecutive summers, notes, “When you ask Broadway performers where they want to work in the summer, the Muny is the answer nine times out of ten.”

Several of this year's Tony nominees proudly call The Muny home, including Natalie Venetia Belcon and Francis Jue. Danny Burstein and Jeb Brown, with a remarkable history of performances at The Muny, bring stellar credentials to the productions.

Interestingly, the short rehearsal periods can be a blessing in disguise amid the rising temperatures. During her 2015 role as the Witch in "Into the Woods," Heather Headley hilariously noted how dressers discreetly tucked ice packs into her costume, stating, “I know heat, but this is different.”

In a 2010 production of "Beauty and the Beast," Jeb Brown, cast as Cogsworth, humorously recalled that some cast members had built-in electric fans in their costumes, especially those portraying the Beast, who were equipped with multiple fans to combat the heat.

In an era when many regional theaters struggle, The Muny continues to thrive under its president Kwofe Coleman, who began as an usher at 16. With a devoted subscriber base and a celebration of its centennial fundraising campaign before the pandemic, The Muny has proven a cornerstone of the St. Louis community.

Recently, the theater faced challenges when a tornado swept through Forest Park, causing significant local devastation. Thankfully, The Muny, while sustaining some damage, managed to escape major destruction. Coleman shared that the theater plans to donate part of its $25,000 Tony Award prize to local theaters and support its seasonal employees affected by the disaster.

Returning for her sixth performance this summer, Patti Murin expressed the warmth that draws her back, saying, “They respect everybody who works for them, from front of house to back of house. That makes all the difference.”