ST. LOUIS 鈥 The Muny, the century-old theater in Forest Park, is the winner of the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award for excellence in regional theater and 鈥渃ontributing to the growth of theater nationally.鈥
In addition to the award, the Muny will also receive a $25,000 grant.
The award was announced Wednesday by the Tony Awards Administration Committee, the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. The American Theater Critics Association recommends a theater each year.
The Muny, celebrating its 107th season, is the oldest and largest outdoor theater in the country.
鈥51黑料 created the Muny,鈥 said Mike Isaacson, the artistic director and executive producer for the Muny. 鈥51黑料 has always believed in the Muny and made it a part of their lives. So this award is a recognition of that 107-year relationship. ... There鈥檚 nothing like this in the world.鈥
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This is the first time a theater in Missouri has won the Tony for regional theater.
鈥淔or over a century, the Muny has been a cultural cornerstone of 51黑料, producing first-class musicals in a setting unlike any other,鈥 said Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, in a statement. 鈥淲ith a deep commitment to accessibility, offering over 100,000 free tickets each season, and career development programs that nurture future theater professionals, the Muny exemplifies the spirit of this award.鈥
The Muny is unique in summer stock theater. It stages seven Broadway-caliber musicals between mid-June and late August and builds almost everything in-house. The organization often flies in Broadway stars for productions, but also offers opportunities to local actors. Kids and teens participate in the shows as well through the Muny Kids and Muny Teens programs, which many young performers say prepared them to work on Broadway.
Kwofe Coleman, who at the time was managing director of the Muny, gestures to his watch on Aug. 30, 2021, after being announced to the crowd as the next president and CEO of the historic outdoor theater, before the opening-night performance of Chicago. Coleman began in the new role at the start of 2022.
For Kwofe Coleman, president and CEO of the Muny, this moment is a result of the Muny鈥檚 long history. 鈥淭his award happens now in a specific moment in our history, but it鈥檚 not confined to just one year or just one time. It鈥檚 about year 107, but it鈥檚 also about year 1 and everything that鈥檚 happened to have that longevity in between,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t is also for everyone who has had a hand on either side of the footlights at this place. It鈥檚 their recognition, too.鈥
Isaacson said that finding out the Muny had won the award was emotional. 鈥淚 was in shock. I really was. I cried a bit, just because everyone here works so hard and creates amazing work for the right reason, which is our audience, our community. So to get this recognition from the Broadway community and the theater critics and wing, you feel seen. You feel appreciated and honored.鈥
Muny artistic director and executive producer Mike Isaacson greets the audience at the start of the centennial season in 2018.聽
Coleman and Isaacson will be accepting the award on behalf of the Muny at the 78th annual Tony Awards, which will air at 7 p.m. on June 8 on CBS or Paramount+.
The Muny season this year will include 鈥淏ring It On,鈥 鈥淐ome From Away,鈥 Disney鈥檚 鈥淔rozen,鈥 鈥淓vita,鈥 鈥淒ear Evan Hansen,鈥 鈥淟a Cage aux Folles鈥 and 鈥淛ersey Boys.鈥
Actors perform in the Muny鈥檚 production of the musical 鈥淥n Your Feet,鈥 about the lives and careers of Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio Estefan, on Aug. 21, 2021.
Take a look at the history of the Muny, which has entertained guests from all over the world for more than 100 years.
