In downtown St. Louis on 527 North Grand Blvd., a theater that’s been standing since 1929 is found. With a capacity of 4,500 people, The Fabulous Fox Theatre hosts live concerts, plays, musicals, magic acts, ballets, and more.

The historical building resembles Byzantine-style architecture, which features large spaces and lavish decorations. In addition to the interior mosaics that line the ceilings, walls, and floors, its defining characteristic is the dome, located in the center of the theatre.

“What I like about the Fox compared to other venues is the elegance of the theatre,” senior Sarah Nelson said. “I saw my first show at the Fox early this year, and the gorgeous design took my breath away just entering the building. I love other venues like the Muny, but the formal setting at the Fox feels like the closest I can get to seeing a show on Broadway right now.”

Every year, Broadway productions perform in more than 240 cities across North America. Shows from all across the fame line, such as Hamilton, Hadestown, and Wicked, to 1776, Come From Away, and Jagged Little Pill.

“I’ve gone to more shows at the Fox over the years than I can count,” junior Sydney Hoynacki said, “but this year I’m planning on attending two shows, Hadestown and Les Misérables.”

Musicals have an aspect of music that helps to tell the story while performing more talents through song and dance. For example, in Hadestown, the musicians were placed on the stage with the actors, who also occasionally played instruments. The main character, Orpheus, played an electric guitar during his song, “Epic,” as it progressed throughout the scenes.

“Listening to a recording just doesn’t compare to seeing something live,” senior Cordelia Matulewic said. “The atmosphere, visuals, and passion that the actors put into their performance completely transforms a show.”

Similar to seeing a new movie in a movie theater, seeing shows live holds a different impact than watching it at home.

“I think it’s important to see live theatre because it creates a memory that isn’t comparable to anything else,” Hoynacki said. “You become bonded to the people sitting around you even if you’ve never met them because you have this shared experience.”