Four decades ago, a crumbling movie palace on Grand Boulevard quietly changed hands. The once-splendid Siamese Byzantine showcase for movie premieres and celebrated stage acts in St. Louis had fallen into disrepair and the private purchase by a group of investors seemed a fantastic notion: The group, called the Fox Associates, wanted to embark on a one-year, $2-million restoration that would recreate the landmark’s 1920s grandeur and transform it into a world-class performing arts center.
One year later, a capacity crowd of 4,500 people christened the newly restored theater with a standing ovation. Since then, the building has undergone a few more major renovations and improvements, including a $2-million stage expansion in the 1990s, a reconditioning of the lobby in the 2000s and a ceiling restoration in 2013.
This year, the Fabulous Fox is celebrating 40 years since its grand reopening in 1982. Charged with overseeing the monumental project all those years ago was Mary Strauss, whose late husband, Leon, was a prominent local developer and led the purchase of the property by the Fox Associates.
“With all significant passages of time, it’s always difficult to believe so much time has passed, but we have accomplished so much,” said Strauss. “We are so grateful to our patrons and visitors who have subscribed and attended over the past 40 years. We have 20.98 million fans and have hosted 7,890 performances in the theatre representing 1,893 acts and productions!”
Next month, the Fox kicks off its 2022-2023 U.S. Bank Broadway Series with “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations,” nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and winner of the 2019 Tony for Best Choreography.
Along with “Ain’t Too Proud,” five other shows will make their St. Louis premiere this season: the 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, “Hadestown,” followed by “Frozen,” “Six the Musical,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Tootsie,” according to vice president of programming John O’Brien.
“To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are bringing in the best of the best,” O’Brien said. “This season features some of Broadway’s biggest hits and some of St. Louis’ favorite shows and artists. We’ve got Tony winners, blockbusters, classics and more, so we really have something for everyone.”
“Ain’t Too Proud” opens the Fox Broadway season (Sept. 20 to Oct. 2), and continues with “Hadestown” (Oct. 11 to 23), Disney’s “Frozen” (Nov. 2 to 13), “The Illusionists” (Nov. 26), “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Dec. 11), “Cirque Dream Holidaze” (Dec. 16 and 17), “Elf the Musical” (Dec. 20 to 24), “Les Miserables” (Jan. 17 to 22), “Six” (Jan. 24 to Feb. 5), “Blue Man Group” (Feb. 9 to 12), Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Feb. 28 to March 12), “Tootsie” (March 21 to April 2), “Wicked” (April 12 to May 7) and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (May 9 to 21).
“Everyone at the Fabulous Fox works so hard behind the scenes for years leading up to any show or season, so finally getting to share the shows we love with our audiences is my favorite part,” O’Brien said. “We’ve been so excited to celebrate 40 years of Broadway and world-class entertainment and to get to do that with the best audiences in the country makes it a dream come true.”
A dream come true from what was once – by all appearances – a pipe dream back in the early ‘80s.
Strauss, who continues in her role as Fox Theatre partner, says one of the greatest accomplishments of restoring the Fabulous Fox is completing the massive project in just one year.
“When I look back at it, I can’t believe it,” she said. “We were so fortunate to have had the many skilled craftspeople who understood their part in the project and exceeded our expectations. In many ways I think it was a labor of love for all of us. Leon and I were at the Fox every night when the Fox reopened. One night a man came in, stopped in the lobby, looked around and said, ‘Big deal! Big deal! It looks like it always did!’ I looked at Leon and said, ‘We did it!’”
Single tickets for “Ain’t Too Proud,” “Hadestown” and “Frozen” are on sale now. Single tickets for six other shows go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. For more information, visit the Fabulous Fox website.
