Tarlton’s Renovations at The Muny Take Center Stage

America’s largest, oldest outdoor musical theater receives a facelift for its 109^th season

ST. LOUIS (Nov. 4, 2026) – Tarlton Corporation, St. Louis’ largest women-owned general contracting and construction management firm, is serving as general contractor on the $9.5 million renovation to The Muny, America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, situated in the heart of St. Louis’ historic Forest Park.

Following the recent completion of its 108^th season, The Muny is working with Tarlton on a complete renovation of its century-old auditorium and the removal and replacement of the theater’s 10,500+ seats, which were installed 25 years ago. In addition, Tarlton will:

• Improve audience sight lines and introduce premium seating configurations in some underutilized sections of the theater
• Install new upgraded aisle lighting throughout the theater to enhance patron safety
• Remove and replace the sound mix position to improve functionality, create a better working environment and accommodate future technological needs
• Remove and reinstall cross aisles between sections A/B and B/C to improve sight lines and accessibility
• Introduce trench drains at the cross aisles for better overall stormwater management, safeguarding automation equipment, sound gear and musical instruments
• Refinish existing railings

“This is a transformational investment that will help ensure our theater continues to serve artists, audiences and our community for generations,” said Kwofe Coleman, president and chief executive officer of The Muny. “By caring for our historic home, we’re protecting a St. Louis treasure while strengthening our ability to deliver exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all. Our friends at Tarlton helped lead the way on our 2018 stage and backstage renovation, and we’re grateful to partner with them again on a project that will shape The Muny’s future for decades to come.”

“The broad range of work on this project is unique to The Muny, St. Louis and our industry,” said Andrew Nelch, Tarlton vice president and project executive. “From the onset of material coordination and laydown planning through extensive demolition and critical concrete work (including structural concrete), Tarlton will be leveraging the full strength of our capabilities, expertise and resources. From the ground up to the installation of new seating from the top down, we will carefully navigate The Muny’s existing, historic auditorium structures throughout the course of this project.”

The renovation project is slated for completion before the start of The Muny’s 109^th season in June 2027. HOK serves as the project architect. The extensive work is funded through gifts from the Crawford Taylor Foundation; the E.C. Simmons III Foundation; the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation; Interco Charitable Trust; The Bellwether Foundation; and an anonymous donor.