The Muny has announced the acquisition of a $4 million gift from Barbara and Andrew Taylor towards The Muny’s Second Century Capital Campaign. Given in honor of their great niece and current Muny Teen Allison Broadhurst, who began performing at The Muny in 2011, this gift will aid in the renovation of The Muny’s West Platform.
Located adjacent to the West Pre-Show Stage and Picnic Plaza, this platform is utilized in a variety of ways, including: an outdoor rehearsal space, a performance stage for Muny Kids and Teens showcases and private pre-show events. In the off-season, it serves as a gathering space for community events such as Earth Day, the African Arts Film Festival and private events.
With this generous gift, a state-of-the-art renovation to the West Platform will be made possible. Improvements will include enhanced lighting, large-scale fans, a new dance floor complete with an operational turntable and landscaping. It will also include updates to the prop storage warehouse located directly beneath the platform.
“We are honored and grateful to receive such a generous gift from Barbara and Andy,” said Muny President and CEO Denny Reagan. “The West Platform renovation that this gift makes possible is crucial to the success of our productions and for them to honor Allison and all of the young people who are a part of each summer here is a uniquely fitting touch.”
“The Muny is truly a singular institution that has been a cultural staple for over a century,” said Barbara Taylor. “Our gift, in honor of Allison, will help continue their mission and offer artists a state-of-the-art rehearsal space that is truly one of a kind.”
“Barbara and I have shared countless Muny memories together,” said Andrew Taylor. “Thanks to Allison, we have gained a ‘behind the curtain’ sense of what each production takes. This being said, we are thrilled to see what a renovated rehearsal space will provide for years of magic to come.”
Construction Plans
Work is progressing on the Muny renovations as part of the Second Century Campaign. Photo by Phillip Hamer.So far, planned improvements include replacement of the light bridge, stage, and surrounding structures.
The new stage design will also provide additional protection for the orchestra and their instruments. New lighting and improved audio and video will bring more vibrant imagery to productions.
The stage will be replaced with multiple stage decks, including the turntable, and stage floor tracking that will increase flexibility and enable scene changes more quickly and seamlessly.
The entryway improvement plans include new theatre gates, architectural lighting, refurbished fountains, restoration of the pergolas and more.
Indoor, climate-controlled orchestra rehearsal space is in the works.
For construction updates, visit https://munysecondcentury.org/construction-updates/
To give, or for more information regarding The Muny’s Second Century Capital Campaign, please visit muny.org/secondcentury
To view a Tarlton Construction update, here is the video:
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.