Not only are we very fortunate to be in the same city, we are very proud to be in the same neighborhood as Powell Hall, home to the magnificent STL Symphony and their fabulous Music Director and Conductor, David Robertson. Of course it's best to experience a performance at Powell Hall live and in person, but we absolutely love this recent video from the STL Symphony's website. It beautifully captures the concert experience at Powell Hall and how powerful, exciting, and memorable it is. 

The St. Louis Symphony Experience from St. Louis Symphony on Vimeo.

Read on for David Robertson's answers to our Five Fabulous Questions and be sure to visit STL Symphony's website for information on their 2011-2012 Season and upcoming events.

What was the first show you ever saw at the Fox?

Jerry Seinfeld, stand-up

Many of the touring shows and artists that have visited the Fox have left their mark by painting murals backstage. What would your personal backstage mural look like?

All the St. Louis Symphony’s artists looking out and smiling (we would need a BIG wall…).

If you could see any performance at the Fox, (any artist alive or dead; any show past or present) what would you choose?

Ella Fitzgerald with Duke Ellington (plus a special guest appearance by Django Reinhardt).  One can dream…

If you were to perform on the Fox Stage, what would you do? Do you have a hidden talent?

Be nervous, be very, very nervous.  No, sadly they are all out in Full View.

What do you think is the most Fabulous thing about St. Louis? 

The St. Louis Symphony and everything else.

Thanks to the Eureka High School, Jo Beck and all of the students in Mr. Hunt’s morning business classes for inviting me to speak to them about my favorite subject – The Fabulous Fox. I think our future is in great hands knowing that there are smart, talented and eager students coming up through the ranks.  They had great questions and I hope to see them at the Fox for a performance soon. 

Making theatre affordable and accessible for students is something the Fox has been committed to for a long time. Groups of 15 or more students are eligible for special discounts and many shows provide a study guide for classroom instruction. If you would like to be added to our school mailing list, you can sign up here. Students who are not able to attend as part of a group, can also check for last minute student rush offers on our website.

Halloween is almost here! Do you have your costume ready? If you’re still looking for ideas, we’re here to help! We’ve picked out three Broadway-inspired costumes that will suit your Halloween style. Enjoy!

Elder Price from The Book of Mormon

Fabulous For: Gentlemen who want a funny, yet simple, costume.

I would like to share with you this most amazing costume idea!  If you like your Halloween costumes to be a little irreverent, and easy to assemble, let The Book of Mormon inspire you!

To get Elder Price’s all-American look, you’ll need:

-A white, short-sleeved, button up shirt

-A black tie

-Black pants

-A nametag

-A winning smile

How to: Tuck in your shirt and, if you have one, be sure to wear a black belt with your black slacks. Create a nametag identifying yourself as Elder Price (or use your own name if you like!). Don’t forget to show those pearly whites.

Bonus: It’s better to go two by two! Get a friend to dress as Elder Young so you can both spread the good word about one of Broadway’s hottest shows.

Mitzy’s Flip Flop Frock from Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Fabulous For: Crafty guys and gals who want a costume that stands out

“There is nothing like a new frock to brighten your day.” Mitzy’s flip-flop dress is one of Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s most iconic outfits, from both the film and Broadway musical. Entering any costume contests? With this look, you’re sure to be a shoe-in (sorry, we couldn’t resist)!

To get Mitzy’s fashion-forward look, you’ll need:

-A black dress (strapless or with spaghetti straps, with a hem above the knees)

-Brightly-colored flip-flops (if you don’t want to use real flip-flops, pedicure slippers work great for this costume; you can also make your own out of craft foam sheets)

-Something to connect the flip-flops (needle and strong thread, loose leaf rings, etc.)

-Material (cord, ribbon, chain, etc.) to make your dress straps

-Bubblegum pink wig

How To: This costume will require some skill! You’re going to make a flip-flop dress to wear over your black dress (see Mitzy’s photo for reference). First, make the vertical flip-flop panels (each panel will use 3 flip-flops). Next, you’re going to connect the panels to form the dress. Finally, attach your shoulder straps.

Make sure that you make the dress loose enough that you can easily put it on over your head. If you like, leave two of the flip-flops at the top unconnected, and then connect them after the dress is on. Make sure that the flip-flop dress fits over your black dress comfortably.

Don’t be shy with your makeup! You might want to practice applying this look a few times before the big night.

Bonus: If you really want to get into character, try talking in an Australian accent all evening!

Donna from Mamma Mia!

Fabulous For: Ladies who are looking for a comfortable, yet sassy, costume

Think overalls can’t be sassy? Think again! Donna’s outfits always have attitude, whether she’s wearing Dynamo spandex or her work clothes. Take a cue from Donna for this easy (and comfortable) Halloween costume!

To get Donna’s laid-back look, you’ll need: 

-A pair of overalls

-A light-colored peasant blouse

How to: Leave one of the overall straps undone, and don a pair of casual shoes. A messy hairstyle completes the look! 

Bonus: Donna is making repairs to the Taverna when Bill, Harry and Sam pop back into her life so a drill makes a great prop! The drill also doubles as an impromptu microphone so that you're ready to sing along, as loudly as you want, to any Abba tunes that are played during the evening! Be sure to catch Mamma Mia! at the Fox Theatre November 22-27. 

Do you have any fun Broadway-inspired costume ideas that you’re going to wear this year, or have worn in the past? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below! If you have any photos, be sure to submit them to Broadway.com’s Halloween costume contest.

Have a safe and Fabulous Halloween!

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will run past the Fabulous Fox this Sunday.  How appropriate as we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the filming of "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll," at the Fox on October 16, 1986. The movie was a 60th birthday celebration for St. Louis Rock icon Chuck Berry and featured such luminaries of Rock as Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, Etta James and Linda Ronstadt.  It was the concert of a lifetime!  Actually it was a double concert with two audiences viewing the entire show to assure maximum film available for the edit.  Director Taylor Hackford was at the helm and his rumored guests in the audience included actor Richard Gere - who had worked with Hackford on "An Officer and a Gentlemen."  Writers from Rolling Stone and Time Magazine were there along with reporters from 20/20, Entertainment Tonight and MTV. If you haven't seen "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll," check it out.  It is a fabulous tribute to a St. Louis legend and you might just see your friends or neighbors rocking out.

As we remember this amazing event that put St. Louis and the Fox on the world map that week in 1986, and celebrate another milestone birthday for Chuck Berry we are pleased to welcome a new generation of rock bands that will play along the route of Sunday's marathon and to cheer on the participants.  A special shout out to our own Fox family members who will be participating - Erica Chandler and Erin Hentz.  Rock on girls and happy 85th birthday Chuck!

You can see a wide variety of concerts, musicals, plays and comedy acts at the Fox Theatre - most shows will visit here once or twice, but there are some shows that are so fabulous, they keep coming back year after year!

Celtic Thunder is definitely one of those shows and we’re excited to welcome them back to the Fox for the fourth time! We’re also excited to welcome the fans of Celtic Thunder back to the Fox. Celtic Thunder’s fans are always a delight and we love their enthusiasm – and their nickname: Thunderheads!

We had a chat with two Celtic Thunder Thunderheads: mother and daughter, Michelle and Kristin Hart. Read on to find out about their fabulous experiences with Celtic Thunder:

Michelle with Paul and Neil from Celtic Thunder. Photo courtesy of Michelle Hart.

When did you first see or hear Celtic Thunder?

Michelle: The first time I saw Celtic Thunder was on TV during a Nine Network pledge event. It was in 2008 and my son Matthew was 12 at the time. He watched it every time it was on PBS, and would say every time that he wished we could go to the Fox and see them. I finally called and surprised Matthew and my daughter Kristen with tickets. That was our first trip to the Fabulous Fox and the night was just magical for us.

Kristen: The first time I heard Celtic Thunder was at their concert during their first tour to the U.S. I wasn't sure what to expect on the way to the show, but halfway through their opening number “Heartland,” I was hooked.

How many times have you seen Celtic Thunder live?

Michelle: Thursday, October 20th will be the 4th time we have seen them live! This will be our 3rd Concert Meet & Greet event.

What’s your favorite Celtic Thunder song?

Michelle: In concert, my favorite song is “Ireland’s Call” because the crowd always gets so pumped up. Just to listen to … Keith’s “Lauren & I” or anything by Ryan Kelly.

Kristen: “The Galway Girl” by the entire group and “The Homes of Donegal” by Keith Harkin.

Do you have a favorite Celtic Thunder memory?

Michelle: Last year our seats were in the second row - Keith threw his guitar pick into the crowd (or right at me as I like to think) and I got it! It was my dear friend Lola’s (another Thunderhead’s) birthday – so I gave it to her. She keeps it in a very safe place! 

Kristen: Meeting wonderful new friends through the Missouri Celtic Thunder Street Team and meeting Damian McGinty three times!

What do you think makes Celtic Thunder special?

Michelle: Celtic Thunder is a perfect pairing of talent and entertainment and fun! The Celtic Thunder lads and the songs that they sing separately and together are so diverse – there really is something for everyone. They engage and interact with the audience and each other during the concerts and through social media. They are accessible and genuinely appreciative of their fans.

Kristen: To me, Celtic Thunder is more than a show. It's more than a group. It's an experience. It's an experience that lifts you up whether you're listening to their stunning music throughout the day, seeing their show live, or watching them on PBS or DVD.

If you could ask the gentlemen of Celtic Thunder a question, what would it be?

Michelle:  How do you stay so motivated for every show? They always look like they are having such a great time themselves – like it’s the 1st time they have performed, not the 31st time.

Kristen with Keith and Ryan from Celtic Thunder. Photo courtesy of Michelle Hart.

Thanks Michelle and Kristen for sharing your wonderful Celtic Thunder experiences with us! We hope you have a Fabulous time at the show!

If you would like to attend Celtic Thunder’s concert at the Fox, great seats are still available through MetroTix.

Do YOU have any fabulous Celtic Thunder experiences? Share them in the comments below!