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Mayor Tishaura Jones to cameo in The Muny’s ‘Dreamgirls’

The Muny has kicked off its second show of the season, Dreamgirls, and St. Louis natives may recognize one of the background actors featured in three performances, beginning on Saturday.

Dreamgirls follows a trio of female Motown singers, their path to stardom, and their struggles with fame in the 1960s and ‘70s. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones will have a silent walk-on role just a few minutes into the second act, during a large event scene. 

“The whole time I’ve been president, she’s been an avid Muny-goer,” says Kwofe Coleman, president and CEO of The Muny. “She has a real, genuine appreciation for not just The Muny, but for the arts. It’s nice to see that excitement, energy, and investment from our civic leaders.”

Jones isn’t the first mayor to appear in a St. Louis theater production. In 1918, one year before The Muny’s inaugural season, Mayor Henry Kiel starred as King Richard the Lionheart in a production of Robin Hood.

In the 106 years since then, The Muny has sustained a close relationship with the mayor’s office. Mayors have consistently attended Muny productions and are often announced to the audience before the show.

“We’ve always benefited from genuine civic support from mayors and from the city as a whole,” Coleman says. “It’s nice to represent that support in a fun way with Mayor Jones.”

This is a special production for Jones, who has a long history with the theater. “My first job as a kid growing up in St. Louis was as an usher at The Muny,” she said in a release announcing her cameo appearance. “Having this chance to appear onstage is a dream come true.”

According to Coleman, the inclusion of local dignitaries in The Muny’s productions is a way to connect with a St. Louis audience without adjusting the storyline of the show.

“This tradition speaks to the depth of our relationship with people who call this city home and call this theater home,” Coleman says.

For tickets and more information visit muny.org.

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