Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis

Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis

The Stifel Theatre is a historic performing arts building that has undergone a series of transformations and renovations throughout the years. Originally known as the Municipal Opera House, it was founded in honor of former St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel and opened in 1934 as part of the Municipal Auditorium and Opera House. The theatre operated until 1991 when it and the adjacent Kiel Auditorium were closed so the auditorium could be demolished and replaced by the Kiel Center, now known as the Enterprise Center.

On October 1, 2011, the Peabody Opera House reopened for the first time since the renovation. The show featured well-known personalities such as Jay Leno, Aretha Franklin, and Chuck Berry and was attended by a full house of 3,100. Since then, the theatre has played host to a diverse variety of performing acts, including touring musicians, comedians, live theatre and dance, and social and political events. Notably, in 2018, the building entered into a 10-year naming rights agreement with Stifel Financial Corp. and was renamed Stifel Theatre.

The Stifel Theatre has a rich history of hosting iconic performances. In 1965, the Rat Pack consisting of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., with Johnny Carson as the emcee, performed their only televised concert together during a fundraiser for Dismas House, which was the first halfway house for ex-convicts. After being lost for thirty years, a print of the show was found and has since been broadcast on Nick at Nite and released on DVD.

Additionally, in 1978, The Rolling Stones performed one sold-out show at the theatre with a stripped-back, minimal stage presentation. The limited seating at the venue caused fans who were unable to purchase tickets to gather outside the building in protest. A police force with dogs was needed to keep the peace.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Saint Louis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Stifel Theatre on Map

Sight Name: Stifel Theatre
Sight Location: Saint Louis, USA (See walking tours in Saint Louis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Saint Louis, Missouri

Create Your Own Walk in Saint Louis

Create Your Own Walk in Saint Louis

Creating your own self-guided walk in Saint Louis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Religious Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Religious Buildings Walking Tour

Saint Louis, Missouri, is a perfect destination for those with a taste for great architecture, especially if it is associated with an important spiritual value. Indeed, this city features some of the most famous and interesting churches in the USA.

One such landmark is the Saint Mary of Victories Catholic Church. A stunning example of Mannerism architecture, it has been a spiritual hub for the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Saint Louis Downtown Walking Tour

Saint Louis Downtown Walking Tour

Missouri's main city, St. Louis, is a prominent metropolis renowned for its cultural diversity, vibrancy and art. Ahead of the Europeans, the area of today's St. Louis was inhabited by the Native American Mississippian tribes.

French fur traders, who settled on the territory in 1764, named it for King Louis IX of France. That same year, the land was ceded to Spain, and in 1800, was...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Forest Park Walking Tour

Forest Park Walking Tour

Forest Park, a massive urban park in Saint Louis, offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. Renowned for its multiple entertaining and educational facilities, such as museums, zoo, and green areas, it is often and quite deservedly regarded as one of the city's crown jewels – an ideal location for a great time out! Let's see what you can find on the...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles