STAGES' 31st Season Breaks Box Office Records

The 2017 Season marked another triumph for STAGES St. Louis as the organization's 31st year of producing Broadway-quality theatre overflowed with critical and popular success, while also breaking all previous box office records. Revenue reached new heights as the box office surpassed the $2 million threshold in ticket sales, out-grossing any season in STAGES' previous three-decade history.

Rave reviews and sell out crowds ruled the Reim for all of June as STAGES kicked off the season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. James Wolk's dazzling set designs enthralled over 15,000 patrons, bringing Egypt and this dream of a show to vivid life for the entire family. "A glorious spectacle that transcends any of those other productions you may have seen," praised Stage Door St. Louis critic, Steve Allen. "In other words- it's not to be missed."

Meanwhile, STAGES' youngest audiences experienced a loving production of Seussical, complete with exciting games, creative crafts, and a Seussian meet and greet! Playing to one enthusiastic sold out crowd to the next, Seussical ended its three-week run as the most successful theatre for young audience production in the history of STAGES. Mark Bretz of Ladue News declared, "kids will have a good time, for sure, but Hamilton's smooth guidance makes Seussical entertaining for all ages."

The summer months continued to ring with joy and laughter as audiences clocked into the theatre to enjoy the ultimate Rolodex era office-takeover with 9 to 5, The Musical. Harry Hamm of CBS St. Louis titled 9 to 5 "a 100% success!" and the 9 to 5 fever immediately exploded as the cast performed to sold out crowds during the first weekend of previews. Broadway World theatre critic, Chris Gibson called the production "a real crowd-pleaser, generating tons of laughs, and a number of memorable moments."

STAGES' grand finale swept patrons off their feet with a timeless tale of love and loss, as South Pacific became the best selling show in STAGES history. This crowd favorite opened with record-breaking advance sales, as eager audiences awaited STAGES' rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic wartime tale. "It's the closeness and connection to the actors that make the real love affair here one between the audience and the show," said Pat Lindsey, FloValley News. "Seeing STAGES' production was like seeing South Pacific for the first time and I'm in love with a wonderful show."

"The 2017 Season warranted some truly unforgettable moments both on the stage and in the aisles, from welcoming WWII veterans at South Pacific to raising over $52,000 for the American Red Cross hurricane relief," stated Executive Producer Jack Lane. "Though this year was one for the books and will definitely be remembered, I look forward to the ever exciting upcoming season and projected final year at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, as we move towards our future in a new Performing Arts Center in downtown Kirkwood!" The 2018 Season launches with one of the first musicals STAGES ever performed, I Do! I Do! then continues on with ABBA's hit Mamma Mia!, Rodgers and Hammerstein's famed Oklahoma!, and DreamWorks' Madagascar, A Musical Adventure.

STAGES St. Louis is the region's foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2017, STAGES celebrates its 31st year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 140 performances from June through October to over 50,000 patrons.

STAGES opened in 1987 with a budget of $50,000 and a part-time seasonal staff of eight. Today, the company employs a full-time staff of 25 overseeing a budget of $4.7 million. During the performance season, an additional 150 actors and crew members bring the productions to life. To date, STAGES professionals have produced 110 musicals, with over 3,600 performances, playing to more than one million patrons.

Subscriptions to the 2018 Season begin at just $114 and will go on sale December 4, 2017. Single tickets will go on sale April 2, 2018. Single ticket prices range from $25 - $63. STAGES' productions perform in the intimate, 377-seat Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Civic Center, 111 South Geyer Road in St. Louis, MO 63122. For more information or to purchase tickets call 314-821-2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.org.

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