‘Hot, big and buggy;' NYT uncovers why Broadway actors spend summers in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — The New York Times recently uncovered why many of New York's Broadway actors would decide to spend their summer in the humidity and 'oppressive heat' of St. Louis.
The NYT found The Muny had been their reason for escaping to landlocked St. Louis instead of a beach along the coast. The report followed along with the actors as they prepared for The Muny's 107th season beginning on June 16 with 'Bring It On.'
The Muny recently received this year's regional theater Tony Award, and the report noted the theater's 'Broadway-caliber' shows despite a quick turnaround for a lineup of seven shows in just 10 weeks.
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Jessica Vosk, an actress who has been in various Muny productions, told the NYT that nine times out of 10 when Broadway performers are asked where they want to work over the summer, 'it's always the Muny.'
The report also noted the Muny's staying power in the St. Louis community with its loyal subscriber base.
The Muny received its Tony Award shortly after the May 16 tornado that swept through several miles of St. Louis, including Forest Park. The Muny experienced some of this damage after the storm swept away a preshow stage and caused a tree to fall on one of the concession stands.
The Muny's Tony Award also includes a $25,000 grant, which the NYT reported will be given to other St. Louis theaters and even to help the theater's seasonal employees who fell victim to the tornado.
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