The Muny Undertakes $9.5 Million Facelift for 109th Season
News related to:The Muny · 2 min read
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, The Muny, is undergoing a $9.5 million facelift for its 109th season. The renovation, set to be completed before the start of the 2027 season, will see significant upgrades to the century-old auditorium and the replacement of over 10,500 seats, which were installed 25 years ago. The project, led by Tarlton Corporation, St. Louis' largest women-owned general contracting and construction management firm, aims to improve the overall experience for patrons and ensure the theater remains a beloved cultural landmark.
Tarlton Corporation, a WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprise, will oversee the renovation, which includes several key improvements. These upgrades will enhance audience sight lines and introduce premium seating configurations in underutilized sections of the theater. Additionally, the project will involve the installation of new upgraded aisle lighting to enhance patron safety, the removal and replacement of the sound mix position to improve functionality and accommodate future technological needs, and the reconfiguration of cross aisles between sections A/B and B/C to improve sight lines and accessibility. Trench drains will also be installed at the cross aisles to improve stormwater management and safeguard automation equipment, sound gear, and musical instruments.
The renovation is part of The Muny's ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing its historic home. Kwofe Coleman, president and CEO of The Muny, emphasized the importance of this investment.
The extensive work is funded through generous donations from the Crawford Taylor Foundation, the E.C. Simmons III Foundation, the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation, Interco Charitable Trust, The Bellwether Foundation, and an anonymous donor. As the nation's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, The Muny has been a cornerstone of St. Louis culture for nearly a century, welcoming more than 300,000 patrons each summer for seven world-class productions, each built from the ground up in St. Louis.
The Muny, now entering its 109th season, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to producing exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all. The organization has received the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award, recognizing its commitment to excellence and community engagement.