The Muny — short for the Municipal Opera — is the largest and oldest open-air theatre in the United States, seating 11,000 under the stars on the western side of Forest Park. It has run a summer season of musicals every year since 1919 and is one of the most cherished institutions in St Louis.
The back nine rows of seats are free, distributed first-come-first-served on show nights — a long-standing democratic tradition that distinguishes the Muny from most American summer-theatre venues. Productions are professional, often featuring Broadway names; the season runs late June through mid-August. Bring a blanket for the free seats and snacks for the long evenings.