The Muny in Forest Park. This year marks 90 years of productions at what is claimed to be the largest outdoor theater in the country. It is certainly one of the city’s most popular attractions - you don’t want to be driving through the park on Muny nights!

Situated as it is, on the side of a hill, you can get two very different views of the theater complex. From Pagoda Circle on the north side of the Muny, all is bucolic charm and stately elegance. The bandbox on its island, lightly wooded meadows sloping into a winding stream (today it was populated by violets, spring beauty and dandelions), charming bridges with wrought iron rails, and the colonnade in front of the Muny, all make for an inviting set suitable for lovers in a movie or St. Louis brides and their retinues. It seems a very oasis of refinement and culture.

At the south end, however, on top of the hill to the back of the theater, we find the wasteland of what is called the “upper parking lot”. During the day, the aged, cracked and potholed pavement is frequented by motorcyclists learning to ride (just today I got to listen to an instructor shout at his pupil) and unidentified people hanging out in cars (who are they, anyway?), and little else.

In the summertime it’s a place to avoid when the sun is high, as it quickly turns into a fiery furnace suitable for the immolation of disobedient minions. In the cooler times of the year it is still a barren plateau, in lifeless contrast to the fecundity of the surrounding parkland. After dark all year ‘round we have a sodium vapor nightmare, a Sartresque hell of light pollution spilling into the void of space (who knows, maybe it’s a beacon to invaders from beyond the stars ;).

But, we of the post-public transport age do need a place to park our cars, don’t we?

Entrance to the backstage area today was courtesy of Laura Peters of the Muny, who graciously gave me time out of her busy schedule. Thanks again, Laura! Here are the photos.