Regional NewsThe Muny's Summer Season Launches July 26 With Smokey Joe's CafeThe celebration of the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller continues through August 1.
By
Andrew Gans
July 26, 2021
Dee Roscioli, Charl Brown, and Nasia Thomas
The Muny's production of the hit Broadway revue Smokey Joe's Cafe kicks off the outdoor theatre's 103rd season July 26. After being closed for a complete season due to the pandemic, performances are scheduled through August 1.
Marcia Milgrom Dodge directs with music direction by Abdul Hamid Royal and choreography by Josh Walden, based on original choreography by Dodge.
The cast features Charl Brown, Michael Campayno, Mykal Kilgore, Tiffany Mann, Hayley Podschun, Dee Roscioli, Christopher Sams, Nasia Thomas, and Jason Veasey.
“This amazing, powerful, and joyous show is the perfect production to launch our historic 103rd season,” said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson in an earlier statement. “Set in St. Louis’s historic Gaslight Square, SmokeyJoe’sCafe celebrates what matters most right now: community, music, and the glorious power of pure entertainment.”
The production also has scenic design by Edward E. Haynes Jr., costume design by Sully Ratke, lighting design by Rob Denton, sound design by John Shivers and David Patridge, video design by Kevan Loney, and wig design by Kelley Jordan. The production stage manager is Matthew Lacey. Casting is by the Telsey Office.
The show, conceived by Tom Viertel, celebrates the music of songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and features such tunes as "On Broadway," "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," and "Love Potion #9." It premiered on Broadway in 1995 and earned seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical.
The summer season at The Muny also includes The Sound of Music (August 3–9), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (August 12–18), On Your Feet!, and Chicago (August 30–September 5).
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Flip Through 100 Stars for 100 Years of Theatre at the Muny
Flip Through 100 Stars for 100 Years of Theatre at the Muny
From Guys and Dolls to Aida, the Muny has produced hundreds of shows since its founding in 1919.
100 PHOTOS
1926: Irene Dunne in The Muny's 1926 season
1931: Cary Grant in the Muny's 1931 season
June Havoc in the Muny's 1936 season
1938: Richard (Red) Skelton in Gentlemen Unafraid
1940: Vincent Prince in The American Way
1954: Elaine Stritch in Call Me Madam
1957: Barbara Cook in Irene
1957: Paul Lynde in Irene
1959: Bob Hope in Roberta
1961: Edie Adams in Calamity Jane
1961: Jack Gilford and Mary M. Cook in Cinderella
1960: Dan Rowan and Dick Martin in The Red Mill
1962: Margaret Hamilton in Oklahoma!
1964: Andy Devine in Show Boat
1966: Eddie Albert in The Music Man
1966: Betty White in Bells are Ringing
1967: Margot Fonteyn in The Royal Ballet
1967: Rudolf Nureyev in The Royal Ballet
1968: Ethel Merman in Call Me Madam
1968: Arthur Godfrey in Show Boat
1968: Florence Henderson in The Sound of Music
1968: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Eddie Albert in My Fair Lady
1968: Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly!
1968: Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly!
1968: Vicki Lawrence in Carousel
1969: Ozzie Smith and Harriet Nelson in State Fair
1969: Billy Barty in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1969: Cyd Charisse in Damn Yankees
1970: Jerry Orbach in Promises, Promises
1971: Betty Grable, Chita Rivera, and Dorothy Lamour in This is Show Business
1971: Jackie Coogan and Mary Wickes in The Music Man
1971: Mary Wickes in The Music Man
1971: Milton Berle and Nancy Andrews in Two by Two
1972: William Daniels in 1776
1972: Ann Miller in Anything Goes
1972: Yvonne DeCarlo in Follies
1973: Debbie Reynolds in Irene
1973: Agnes Moorehead in Gigi
1974: Bernadette Peters and Robert Preston in Mack and Mabel
1974: Bernadette Peters and Robert Preston in Mack and Mabel
1974: Gene Kelly in Take Me Along
1974: Carol Burnett and Rock Hudson in I Do! I Do!
1974: Rock Hudson in I Do! I Do!
1975: Jack Klugman in The Odd Couple
1976: Gale Gordon in Show Boat
1976: Peter Graves in 1776
1976: Yul Brynner in The King and I
1976: Zero Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof
1976: Angela Lansbury in Mame
1976: Patti LuPone and Chaim Topol in The Baker's Wife