100 Years in 100 Photos

For 100 summers, St. Louisans have come to Forest Park for an
evening of romance and music in a fairytale setting.

The Muny tradition is a living legacy to all of us, and one that we
continue collectively by reveling in enchanted evenings
in a musical world that’s brighter, and perhaps happier
than our everyday world.

This collection of photos is a tribute to the thousands of men and
women on both sides of the footlights who have made
The Muny “Alone...in its greatness.”

1900 Dated September 21, 1919, the photo is of a Playground Pageant production of HANSEL AND GRETEL. 1919

Photo by: Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1920 This unusual daytime shot of the early Muny stage shows the architectural details and phAydseicfianliitmivepcroavpetimonegnotse.s here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900 Muny“Man of the Ensemble,”Glenn Rice, poses with unnamed“Ladies of the Ensemble.” 1921
The show was THE CHIMES OF NORMANDY.
Photo by: Photo: Glen Rice

1922 A full stage and a full orchestra pit for THE HIGHWAYMAN, 1922. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900 In 1923, an elaborate Fashion Pageant was held at The Muny, featuring ice skating, fountains, and the Palace of Versailles. 1923
These were sponsored by the Fashion Pageant Committee, and ran for many years in Forest Park and other venues around St. Louis.
Photo by: Photo: Martin Schweig

1924 1900This image from our 1924

Photo: Muny Archive the set to the park behind
production of “FLORODORA” features the famous “sextette.”The photo sAhdoewfisntihtieveprcoaxpitmioitnygoofetshheefraer upstage edge of
it.
Photo by:

1900From 1924 through 1926, publicity and head shots were preserved on glass plate negatives. 1925

PhotoTbhy:is photo of leading lady Bernice Mershon demonstrates the clarity and detail such a process generates. Photo: Muny Archive

1926 In 1926, The Muny produced the fantasy WOODLAND. All characters in the show were birdAsdaenfidnitive caption goes here 1900
other forest denizens. Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900 The 1927 production of ROBIN HOOD featured state-of-the-art sound equipment: Five bullhorns stretched across the stage. 1927

Photo by: Photo: A.W. Saunders

1928 Elaborate sets and costumes for 1928’s AIDA brought Verdi’s tragedy to thrilling life. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: A.W.Saunders

1900An impressive line-up of the Muny ensemble for THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER. 1929

Photo by: Photo: A.W. Saunders

1930 Elegant costumes by future Hollywood designer Orry Kelly graced the 1930 production oAf MdeAfiDnAitMiveEcPaOpMtioPnAgDoOeUsRh.ere 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900The 1931 cast posed in the Muny pergolas. TheTthaelle19st3,1tacansntepsotsfeedllionwthienMthuenyphpeortgoowlaas.sTAhercthaileleLset,atcasnhnesostofneltlowbeincothmeepChaortoy wGraasnAtr.chie Leach, 1931
Photo(bFyi:fth from the LEFT) soon to become Cary Grant. (Fifth from the Left)
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1932 Stouthearted men marching man-to-man in THE NEW MOON,. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900 Dance director William Holbrook auditions for the“baby chorus,”slated to appear in the 1933 production of FLORODORA. 1933

Photo by: Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1934 A Muny concert, previewing the 1934 season. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Alexander Piaget Studio

1900In 1935, either side of the stage was graced by these pylons. Light and sound equipment were housed within, and a catenary for lighting 1935

Photoibnys:truments was strung between them. Photo: Alexander Piaget Studio

1936 A fairytale backdrop for The Muny’s 1936 production of A CONNECTICUT YANKEE. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900Louis the 14th was the story of Army cook Louis Ketchup. This dream sequence employed a white horse and Medieval courtiers. 1937

Photo by: Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1938 A young actor named Richard“Red”Skelton made his Muny debut in 1938’s GENTLEMENAUdNeAfiFnRitAivIeD.caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900 Babette plots the overthrow of the despotic Spanish regime in BABETTE, 1939. 1939

Photo by: Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1940 1900St. Louis-born Vincent Price starred in this Kaufman and Hart tribute to an immigrant’s suAcdcefsisnfiutilviencteapgtriaotniognoeinsthoetrehe American melting pot.
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900Tom Ewell (stage and film star of THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH), appeared in The Muny’s world premiere of NEW ORLEANS. 1941

PhotoTbhy:e offering by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II did not enjoy a wide popularity. Photo: Muny Archive

1942 Some tap-dancing chorus girls did their patriotic bit, posing with the boys in uniform baAckdsetafigneitiavteTchapetMionungyo.es here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell, from the collection of Mary Ann Hickey-Brickey

1900The ensemble of ROSE MARIE perform the famous“Rockettes Fall.” 1943

Photo by: Photo: Taylor Photography

1944 The female ensemble from the 1944 production of BOHEMIAN GIRL. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900 The Ladies’Dance Ensemble, in JUBILEE, 1945 1945

Photo by: Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1946 Aerial view of The Muny, April 23, 1946. The occasion was Easter Sunrise Services. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1900THE DANCING YEARS was the season opener for the 1947 season. 1947

Photo by: Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1948 The 1948 production of THE THREE MUSKETEERS featured an equine walk-on. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900This elaborate set for 1948’s ROBERTA was designed by Watson Barratt. The fan was 40 feet at the base, and 22 feet high. 1949

Photo by: Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1950 The ensemble of The Muny’s first production of BRIGADOON. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900The children’s chorus of 1951’s THE WIZARD OF OZ. 1951

Photo by: Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell, from the collection of Sally Stabnos Duncan

1952 This geomteric design was the backdrop for MLLE. MODISTE, 1952. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Ruth Cunliff Russell

1900Michael Maule and Nina Novak, lead dancers in the grand opera, CARMEN. 1953

Photo by: Photo: Ferman Photography

1954 1900From left: Russell Nype, Dorothy Coulter, Elaine Stritch, and an unidentified actor, backstaAgdeefaitniTthiveeMcaupntiyonfogroCeAsLhLerMe E MADAM.
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900Richard Eastham and Kyle MacDonnell, in The Muny’s premiere production of SOUTH PACIFIC. 1955

Photo by: Photo: Peter Ferman Photography

1956 The Muny ensemble rehearsing for the Muny’s debut production of ANNIE GET YOUR GUNA.definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch

1900Future Broadway legend Barbara Cook in a scene from IRENE. 1957

Photo by: Photo: Peter Ferman Photography

1958 International comic star Bob Hope rehearsing for his role in ROBERTA, just in time for TheAMdeufninyit’siv4e0ctahpAtionnnigvoeersahreyreSeason. 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900A sea captain leading a triple life faces the music in OH, CAPTAIN, 1959. 1959

Photo by: Photo: Harold Ferman Phtography

1960 The world stage premiere of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS opened at The Muny. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Muny Archive

1900The cast of CALAMITY JANE on the“Honeymoon Express.”The woman at far right is Edith“Edie”Adams. 1961

Photo by: Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

1962 A pajama party at The Muny, for its 1962 production of THE PAJAMA GAME. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Hugo Harper

1900The Muny’s premiere production of GYPSY featured Ellen Travolta, John’s sister, as Mazeppa (LEFT) 1963

Photo by: Photo: Harold Ferman Phtography

1964 Shakespeare’s A COMEDY OF ERRORS was set to music for BOYS FROM SYRACUSE. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: Peter Ferman Photography

1900The Muny celebrated Christmas in July with HERE’S LOVE, the musical version of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. 1965

Photo by: Photo: The Muny Archive

1966 Betty White starred with husband Allen Ludden in BELLS ARE RINGING. A definitive caption goes here 1900
Photo by:
Photo: The Muny Archive