The Fabulous Fox is delighted to unveil its captivating 2025-2026 Broadway season, promising audiences an unforgettable journey through the magic of theatre. The 2025-2026 Broadway Subscription will feature the breathtaking, Tony Award® winning production of LIFE OF PI, a love story for the ages in THE NOTEBOOK, a spectacular revival of THE WIZ direct from Broadway, the groundbreaking new adaptation of THE OUTSIDERS, the soulful new musical from 17-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys, HELL’S KITCHEN, the triumphant return of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the spellbinding HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD and the hysterical comedy of SPAMALOT. Broadway Extras include LES MISÉRABLES, A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL, STOMP, BEETLEJUICE, MJ, and HADESTOWN.

LIFE OF PI | October 7-19, 2025

A theatrical event unlike anything else! Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, the Broadway and West End sensation LIFE OF PI is “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal). Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, LIFE OF PI is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, Lolita Chakrabarti’sstage adaptation of LIFE OF PI creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.


THE NOTEBOOK | November 4-16, 2025

Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says THE NOTEBOOK is “absolutely gorgeous, not to be missed,” and The New York Daily News calls it “a love story for the ages.” THE NOTEBOOK is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan HansenNext to NormalRent) and Schele Williams (The WizAida), and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s “This Is Us”), and choreography by Katie Spelman.

THE WIZ | November 25 – December 7, 2025

The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back. THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour, direct from Broadway. The Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets” and the Chicago Tribune proclaims THE WIZ is “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!” This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Everybody rejoice–this dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road!

THE OUTSIDERS I January 7-18, 2026

The winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS. Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by Justin Levine, choreography by Rick Kuperman & Jeff Kuperman, and direction by Tony Award® winner Danya Taymor. Entertainment Weekly says, “It has the power to inspire an entire generation.” In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”

HELL’S KITCHEN | January 27 – February 8, 2026

Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before – HELL’S KITCHEN, a new musical from 17-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, HELL’S KITCHENis a love story between a mother and daughter. It’s about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin. Hailed as a New York Times Critic’s Pick that is, “thrilling from beginning to end – a rare must-see!” HELL’S KITCHEN is directed by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by four-time Tony Award® nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize® finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Alicia Keys.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA | February 18 – March 1, 2026

The Phantom is back to thrill audiences once again! Cameron Mackintosh presents a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which was rapturously received by London critics when it reopened in 2021. Featuring Maria Björnson’s brilliant original design and based on the celebrated direction of Harold Prince, with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, PHANTOM triumphantly returns to St. Louis “more spectacular than ever!” (Sunday Express). THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, playing to over 160 million people in 47 territories and 195 cities in 21 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting, and soaring score includes “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” “Masquerade,” and the iconic title song. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, The Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness, and passions collide.  

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD | March 28 – April 18, 2026

It’s time to believe in magic! Broadway’s spellbinding spectacular HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is coming to St. Louis! Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Play. “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes). When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).

SPAMALOT | May 5-17, 2026

SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics byEric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards® and won three, including Best Musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOTfeatures well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That

Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon.

Broadway Extras

Six shows will be offered as Broadway Extras to 2025–2026 season ticket holders for priority seating before their public on sale dates. Back by popular demand, LES MISÉRABLES returns to The Fabulous Fox stage November 18-23 for one week only! A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL will bring the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage just in time for the holidays December 12-14. See what all the noise is about when the international percussion sensation STOMP returns to St. Louis March 6-8. The Broadway smash hit musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, BEETLEJUICE, comes back to haunt the Fabulous Fox April 24-26. Back by overwhelming demand, the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical MJ is “startin’ somethin’” as it makes its way back St. Louis for a limited run May 19-24. The 2025-2026 Broadway season will end with an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back in Tony and Grammy Award-winning best musical, HADESTOWN, May 29-31. 

Eight and seven-show season ticket packages will be available for the 2025-2026 Broadway Season. The eight-show package includes THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. New seven and eight-show season ticket packages will go on sale Wednesday, May 28. Current Broadway season ticket holders will receive their renewal information in the coming days. On sale dates for individual shows will be announced later. For more information, please visit FabulousFox.com.

2025 – 2026 Broadway Series Shows and Broadway Extras:

(The Season Ticket Package shows are in bold)

LIFE OF PI * October 7-19, 2025

THE NOTEBOOK * November 4-16, 2025

LES MISÉRABLES * November 18-23, 2025

THE WIZ * November 25 – December 7, 2025

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL * December 12-14, 2025

THE OUTSIDERS * January 7-18, 2026

HELL’S KITCHEN * January 27 – February 8, 2026

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA * February 18 – March 1, 2026

STOMP * March 6-8, 2026

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD * March 28 – April 18, 2026

BEETLEJUICE * April 24-26, 2026

SPAMALOT * May 5-17, 2026

MJ * May 19-24, 2026

HADESTOWN * May 29-31, 2026

By Lynn Venhaus

Local Spotlight: Ian Coulter-Buford, formerly of Belleville, Ill., and now on the national tour of “Hadestown” currently at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis through Oct. 23, is the dance captain, understudy for Hermes and a swing in the show.

Here’s a Fabulous Fox video in which he shares a few moves from the Tony-winning Best Musical.

https://fb.watch/geMlCIb1zK/

For more information on Ian, who has an MFA in theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University, visit his website: https://www.iancoulterbuford.com/

Announcements: Matinee Added!

Stray Dog Theatre has added a Saturday matinee for its last week of its critically acclaimed “A Little Night Music.”

Four other performances remain of the Sondheim classic, Oct. 19-22, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Tower Grove Abbey.

For tickets or more information, visit: www.straydogtheatre.org

Phil Rosenthal

TV: Somebody Feed Phil

Host Phil Rosenthal opens the sixth season of the Emmy-nominated food/travel series “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix. The new episodes take Phil to Philadelphia, Nashville and Austin in the U.S., and Croatia and Santiago across the universe.

A special tribute to his late parents, Helen and Max, is featured as well. The pair inspired their fair share of “Everybody Loves Raymond” moments, which Rosenthal created and was the executive producer from 1996 to 2005 (he also wrote 23 episodes).

Book: Phil Again

“Somebody Feel Phil: The Book” is available in bookstores and online today. It includes recipes, production photos and stories from the first four season.

Rosenthal will be at the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 with a presentation called – Somebody Feed Phil the Book: Untold Stories, Behind-the-Scenes Photos and Favorite Recipes: A Cookbook

The ultimate collection of must-have recipes, stories, and behind-the-scenes photos from the beloved Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil.

“Wherever I travel, be it a different state, country, or continent, I always call Phil when I need to know where and what to eat. He’s the food guru of the world.” —Ray Romano

From the JBF: Phil Rosenthal, host of the beloved Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, really loves food and learning about global cultures, and he makes sure to bring that passion to every episode of the show. Whether he’s traveling stateside to foodie-favorite cities such as San Francisco or New Orleans or around the world to locations like Ho Chi Minh City, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, or Marrakesh, Rosenthal includes a healthy dose of humor to every episode—and now to this book.”

For tickets or more information and the complete schedule, visit: https://jccstl.com/festival-events-schedule/

Trailer: “Creed III” Released Today!

Follow-up to “Creed” in 2015 and “Creed II” in 2018, star and director Michael B. Jordan introduced the trailer to the third installment yesterday to critics (more on that later), and it came out today.

It will be released in theaters and IMAX on March 3, 2023.

Synopsis: After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.

The screenplay is by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, with story by them and originator Ryan Coogler.

Besides Jordan and Majors, cast includes Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, Mila Davis-Kent, and Phylicia Rashad.

Premium Video on Demand: “The Good House”

Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline reunite for the third time in this adult romantic drama, based on the novel by Ann Leary. Weaver is Hildy Good, a realtor in a small New England town, and she rekindles a romance with Frank Getchell (Kline), But she needs to take care of a buried past, for her drinking is getting out of control again. It’s a portrait of a proud woman who wouldn’t think of asking for help, but whose life won’t change until she does.

Premium Video on Demand is $19.99.

On Nov. 22, the movie will be available video on demand for $5.99, and rental as DVD. It’s available for purchase as a Blu-ray + Digital combo or DVD.

Notes: The pair were in “Dave” (1993) and “The Ice Storm” (1997). Kline, 74, from St. Louis, has won an Oscar for “A Fish Called Wanda” in 1989. For his work on Broadway, he has won three Tony Awards — for two musicals, “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1981 and “On the Twentieth Century” in 1978, and the comedy “Present Laughter” in 2017.

Blackberry Telecaster

Drink: Purple Power

It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Fountain on Locust is hoping to see St. Louis turn purple in support!

Order the Blackberry Telecaster or Le Fleur at the Fountain from today through Sunday, Oct. 18 – 23, and half the profits will go to help local St. Louis non-profit ALIVE provide shelter, healing and hope to domestic violence survivors in need.

For more info, visit ww.fountainonlocust.com

Word: The origin of the cocktail

On this day in 1776:  In a bar decorated with bird tail in Elmsford, New York, a customer requests a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan.


Playlist: Chuck Berry

It’s Chuck Berry’s birthday – he was born Oct. 18, 1926, in St. Louis and died on March 18, 2017.

As part of his 60th birthday celebration, parts of the film, “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll” was recorded at the Fox Theatre on Oct. 16, 1986.

For a look back at that experience, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has an article today:

https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/looking-back-chuck-berrys-60th-birthday-party-at-the-fox-was-a-star-studded-party/collection_a9b04de7-6739-5b22-aa2d-35e216aa5a7c.html

Here’s Keith Richards joining Berry for “Nadine”:
https://youtu.be/5madtiLf7DI

By Lynn Venhaus

Music: Yacht Rock Classics

“Baby Come Back,” “Still the One,” “You Are the Woman,” “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Every Time I Think of You,” “Magnet and Steel,” and more hits will be coming on Saturday night.

The Family Arena hosts an evening of Yacht Rock Classics as the Sail On tour docks on Saturday, Oct. 15, starting at 7 p.m.

So what is Yacht Rock exactly? Mostly soft-rock music popular from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.

The line-up includes Firefall, The Babys, Orleans, John Ford Coley (England Dan has passed), Walter Egan, and Peter Beckett from Player share the stage.

Good seats still available. For tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06005C76EA2B9722

Movie: “Into the Woods” Sing-along

The 2014 film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s classic “Into the Woods” gets a sing-along version, now streaming on Disney+.

The Rob Marshall-directed musical starred Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick and more in the fairy tale fantasy featuring Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack – each one on a quest to fulfill wishes.

Personal Note: I saw the acclaimed Broadway revival that’s been extended twice, now through Jan. 8 at the St. James. Such glorious voices and enchanting adaptation. The 2022 OBC soundtrack is out now, so search for it.
The cast was on the Today Show on Oct. 6. Here they are:

If you’d like to see a local production of “Into the Woods,” the Washington University Performing Arts Department is presenting the Sondheim musical starting Friday, Oct. 21 through Oct. 23 and then Oct. 28-30, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, pad.wustl.edu.


Local Stage: Greek Mythology + 31 Songs

Planning to see “Hadestown” at the Fox?

Here is the review by Chas Adams, one of our wonderful website writers:

I talked about it on KTRS Wednesday morning.

Carl the Intern and I talked about it on the podcast today/

TV: “I Love You, You Hate Me”

This 3-part docuseries on Peacock Premium explores the rise and eventually violent response to Barney the Dinosaur.

As a mom of a preschooler who loved that purple dinosaur (and we stood in line at St Clair Square for several hours to see ‘him’), this is a fascinating dive into the ‘real’ story, using interviews and archival footage.

Five things we learned, according to Variety:

https://variety.com/2022/streaming/news/i-love-you-you-hate-me-barney-docuseries-peacock-spoilers-1235397274/


Word: #MeToo

On this date in 2017, Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too.’” It prompted a flood of replies across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

More than a viral hashtag, #MeToo is a social movement against sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and rape culture, in which people publicize their experiences of sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

By C.B. Adams
“It’s an old tale from way back when.”

So states Hermes, the narrator of “Hadestown” at the beginning of this award-winning musical. Hermes is played by native St. Louisan Nathan Lee Graham (an audience fave) who delivers a highly entertaining pastiche that’s Part Zazu, part Ben Vereen, part Joel Grey and part master of ceremony.

“Hadestown,” now playing at the Fox Theater, is indeed an old tale. It’s a dystopian folk opera reboot of a Greek myth, circa 800-900 BCE, by Anais Mitchell (music, book and lyrics), and it’s still potently relevant today, prescient even.

If the idea of attending a modernized Greek tragedy, replete with gods, Fates and Chorus doesn’t entice you, maybe the fact it won eight Tony Awards in 2019, the most awarded show of that season, including Best Musical, will. There’s strength and staying power to the old tales, and this touring company’s production of the travails of Orpheus and Eurydice provides a superlative experience, proving it’s a different kind of marvel universe.

And, no, you don’t need to bone up on your Greek mythology before attending. Hermes, in word and song, guides you through the story.

Hadestown Tour Houston 10-07-22 Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com

This appraisal of the opening night’s performance at the tightly packed Fox on opening night joins the swelling ranks of this show’s ongoing rave reviews – both the original Broadway and this touring production. It would be easy to state that “Hadestown” checks all the boxes for an excellent show and leave it at that. But if you’re on the bubble about attending, perhaps some additional convincing is in order.

For starters, the score with 31 songs and a reprise is mesmerizing. The songs, whose source was an award-winning 2010 concept album by Mitchell, are tightly paced and intricately braided into the narrative. They have a timelessness about them, blending blues, gospel, ragtime, jazz, folk, and even indie-pop influences. The songs have a definite old-timey vibe with contemporary touches, such as when Persephone uses the phrase “pay per view.” Everyone’s taste differs, but my top-three favorite songs were “Road to Hell,” “Wait for Me,” and “Way Down Hadestown.”

The sound mixing was well-balanced, and vocals were clear and understandable. This is noteworthy because, based on some other recent shows (not necessarily at the Fox), it’s amazing how important good sound is, especially when you’re straining to understand the vocals. Hannah Whitley as Eurydice was a bit too quiet during “Livin’ It Up On Top,” but rallied for the rest of the show with strong vocals and emotion.

Hadestown Tour Houston 10-07-22 Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com

The set, designed by Rachel Hauck, was perfectly scaled for the Fox’s stage. The set cleverly serves as the entrance to the underworld (Hadestown) and the underworld itself. In the center of the two-story set is a lighted, doorway that opens its maw to swallow or belch forth the actors. The set’s umber- and sepia-tinged palette resonates with the show’s folky, jazz- and creole-influenced music with a blend of French Quarter, 1930s train station and Paris brasserie.

Great theater is all in the details, and one of the best small touches in “Hadestown” was the how various characters interacted with the steampunkish, double-headed microphone. Another terrific touch was flanking the set with members of the seven-piece band on either side (though the percussionist/drummer was offstage). Special note must be made of the performance of Emily Frederickson, who played trombone and glockenspiel (More glockenspiel!) and even danced in a number.

The set was further enhanced with Tony-winning lighting design from Bradley King that could be as subtle as it was garish, as when the lights blasted into the audience. Costume design by Michael Krass complemented and mirrored the tarnished atmosphere of Hadestown. The one exception was the silver-spangled vest of Hermes, which he proudly flashed at the opening of the show.

Unlike the devil in other traditions, Hades in both myth and this musical is not a one-dimensional antagonist. Hades has a backstory and earns a begrudging level of respect in his role as leader of the underworld. As voiced and sung by baritone Matthew Patrick Quinn, the stentorian Hades sounded as deep and dark as a coal mine and as ominous as an earthquake.

As played by Chibueze Ihuoma, Orpheus begins as a naïve, somewhat clueless musical prodigy. As his fate becomes intertwined with Eurydice’s, Ihuoma adeptly portrayed Orpheus’ transformation into a mythically tragic figure. Ihuoma has been with the touring company since 2021 and began as a member of the ensemble as a Worker before assuming the Orpheus role in June.

Hadestown Tour Houston 10-07-22 Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com

This imagining of the Greek tale elevates the female characters. Eurydice here is independent, resilient and self-aware. As Eurydice, Hannah Whitley beautifully voices these characteristics and, like Ihuoma, effectively portrays her character’s inevitable, unstoppable fate.

The upstairs-downstairs character Persephone is onstage for most of the show, and understudy Shea Renne made the most of that opportunity. Whether she’s stomping around during her signature song, “Livin’ It Up On Top,” or idly sitting on the balcony with her husband, Hades, Renne brought vigor and misery in equal measures to her portrayal.

Also strong is the show’s ensemble of actors, dancers and singers in the Fates and Chorus. This ensemble is as vibrant and compelling as the rest of the cast. The Fates in particular were fun to watch as the interacted individually and as a unit with the other characters throughout the performance.  

One of the reasons why some stories endure while others don’t is their adaptability. An ancient Greek would certainly recognize the essence of the Orpheus-Eurydice tale retold in “Hadestown.” Modern audiences can certainly appreciate the Greek tragedy for its ability to affirm life even in the face of suffering. And, for those who miss this opportunity to see “Hadestown,” it would be…well, hell.

Performances of “Hadestown” at the Fabulous Fox run Oct. 11-23. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. Tickets on sale now at MetroTix.com or by calling 314-534-1111. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com

Hadestown Tour Houston 10-07-22 Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com