Sophisticated Living St. Louis

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The Second Act: The Fabulous Fox Follows Hamilton Season With Another Great Lineup

Written By Carrie Edelstein

We’re hoping those new subscribers who signed up for the full run of Broadway shows at The Fabulous Fox to ensure tickets to see Hamilton last year renewed for this year! The 2018-2019 season lineup will bring several highly anticipated musicals to St. Louis. John O’Brien, the director of programming at the Fox says, “The 2018-2019 season is an exciting and eclectic mix of new musicals, fresh revivals, and audience favorites. Whether it is date night or a night out with the family, there is something for everyone. We can’t wait to introduce St. Louis to some of Broadway’s newest smash hits and to reunite them with some of their favorites.”

“Friend Like Me,” from Aladdin North American Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer

One of those smash hits is Disney’s Aladdin, coming to town for a run from November 7-25, 2018. You may recall The Lion King broke records with sold-out engagements of its fourth run at the Fox during the 2016-2017 season. The same producer worked on Aladdin. The musical explores the whole new world brought to life when one lamp and three wishes make dreams come true. Songs include favorites from the original film as well as brand new hits composed just for the musical.

Marvin Andrew was one of the first purchasers when The Fox started offering the Broadway series in the 1980s. Now 83, he remembers buying his subscription with Leon and Mary Strauss. “There have been some cold seasons but for the most part they have been 100%. As the years go on I’ve seen plenty of competition but The Fox has gone all out over the past 10 years. Bottom line I love the Fox and love attending,” Andrew says.

The Phantom of the Opera was one of the final shows of the 2017-2018 season, so it only makes sense to kick off the new one September 18, 2018, with the continuation of a love story in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s sequel, Love Never Dies. This newer production is set 10 years later with The Phantom living in New York among the thrills of Coney Island. Can he once again lure his musical protégée, Christine Daae, into his dungeon of dark despair? Will she leave all thoughts of the world she used to know (which in this show, includes Raoul and their son)?

Theatre goers will travel from the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s with the story of Anastasia, which runs December 26, 2018-January 6, 2019. And did you know six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles is part of the all-female team behind the musical, Waitress?” The story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, was inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film.

Miss Saigon Company. Photo By Matthew Murphy and Johan Persson

We can’t wait for the revival production of Miss Saigon. Based on Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly, the love story of how one encounter changed lives forever is one that you will never forget. The show runs April 23-May 5, 2019. The other huge show from Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, Les Misérables, returns to the Fox December 11-16, 2018.

For some of these sell out performances, we suggest heading to the Grand Center early and grabbing a flute of champagne from the Curtain Call Lounge which is right next door to the Fox. A Byzantine-inspired space that recalls the Eastern architecture of the Fabulous Fox, a doorway inside connects through to the lounge. A show-themed cocktail menu promises Instagram worthy pictures and delicious sips. Light bites and shared plates are offered on the food menu. For a full list of shows, log on to fabulousfox.com. We’ll see you at the theatre!