STAGES' 2012 Season Breaks Records

STAGES ST. LOUIS today reported the 26th Season broke all box office records. With nearly $1.8 million in ticket sales, the season saw a significant increase in box office revenue of 4% over 2011 sales, out-grossing any season in STAGES' 26-year history.

The critically-acclaimed season opener, Ain't Misbehavin', generated high praise from critics as well as a visit from the show's creator, Richard Maltby, who referred to the production as "Broadway level work- or higher." Judith Newmark of the Post-Dispatch noted the "outstanding performers and hot onstage band," and audiences agreed that Ain't Misbehavin' was "a must-see event" (Chris Gibson, BroadwayWorld.com) and "the hottest show in town!" (Jamie Allman, 97.1).

The Sound of Music enchanted audiences and became the best-selling show in STAGES 26-year history, playing to sold-out houses with an overall average of 99% capacity in the 377-seat Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, MO. Casey Erin Clark (Maria) and David Schmittou (Captain von Trapp) delighted audiences, while Harry Hamm of CBS Radio touted Suzanne Ishee's performance as The Mother Abbess "a showstopper."

The grand finale and tap dancing extravaganza, My One and Only, exemplified the epitome of classic musical theatre, wowing patrons with its infectious charm. The show, which starred Broadway's own David Elder and Tari Kelly, was described by Connie Bollinger of KDHX as "the perfect musical," and Richard Green from Talkin' Broadway extolled it as "perfectly cast, excellent in its visual conception, and charming beyond all reason." My One and Only officially became the highest grossing third show of the STAGES' line-up, beating out the 2009 production of Guys & Dolls.

This year's Theatre for Young Audiences production of Disney's The Jungle Book was produced at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts under a new partnership between STAGES and Chaminade College Preparatory School. The new state-of-the-art facility allowed this production to be fully realized, captivating audiences young and old.

"We are so proud of our 26th year at STAGES," exclaimed Executive Producer Jack Lane. "Ain't Misbehavin' was a shot from a canon to begin the season, The Sound of Music was revered as one of our most enchanting productions to date, while My One and Only left us floating on air. Disney's The Jungle Book was our most comprehensive Theatre for Young Audiences production and represents real growth in the TYA program. The success of single ticket sales along with an increase of nearly 30% in groups over last year has us very optimistic about the future growth of STAGES."

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