You’re probably here because you’re looking for the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater and realized St. Louis has about five different things named after the Lee family. It’s confusing. Honestly, if you just GPS "Lee Theater," you might end up at a technical college or a botanical garden instead of the performance you actually paid to see.
The Mary Ann Lee Theater—specifically the one everyone is talking about for concerts and immersive shows—is tucked inside the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). It isn't the giant 1,600-seat hall where the massive touring Broadway shows go. It’s the "cool" one. The flexible one. The one where you feel like you’re actually part of the performance rather than just a face in a sea of thousands.
Why the Mary Ann Lee Theater is the Best Spot in the Touhill
Most people see the Touhill and think of the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. That’s the big flagship. But the Mary Ann Lee Theater is the PAC’s secret weapon. It’s a "black box" style space, which is basically a fancy way of saying the room is a blank canvas.
The seating isn't bolted to the floor in a permanent arc. Instead, the staff can move things around. Depending on the night, you might find:
📖 Related: Cast of Buddy 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
- A traditional "end-stage" setup for a play.
- Seats on three sides for an intimate "thrust" stage feel.
- A completely flat floor for experimental "in-the-round" performances.
It usually seats around 375 people, though that number fluctuates. Because of this small footprint, there isn't a bad seat in the house. You’re never more than a few rows away from the sweat on a dancer's brow or the vibration of a cello string.
The Aesthetic and Design
The whole building was designed by the firm of I.M. Pei (the guy who did the glass pyramid at the Louvre). You can feel that architectural DNA the moment you walk in. While the Mary Ann Lee Theater itself is a dark, focused space meant to disappear so the art can shine, the lobby outside is all glass and soaring lines. It’s a weird, beautiful contrast.
The Woman Behind the Name
You can't talk about the theater without talking about Mary Ann Lee. She passed away in 2017, but her fingerprints are all over St. Louis. She wasn't just a "socialite" with a checkbook; she was a powerhouse philanthropist who genuinely cared about the local arts scene.
👉 See also: Carrie Bradshaw apt NYC: Why Fans Still Flock to Perry Street
Funny enough, there's a historic Mary Ann Lee from the 1800s who was America's first professional ballerina. Different person. Our Mary Ann Lee was married to Des Lee, the co-founder of Lee-Rowan Manufacturing. Together, they gave away more than $70 million.
She sat on the boards of the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Sheldon. She didn't just fund buildings; she funded the busing of kids from urban schools so they could actually see what was happening inside those buildings. That’s why her name is on this theater—it represents accessibility and a "boots on the ground" love for performance.
What Kind of Shows Actually Happen Here?
If you’re checking your tickets for a Candlelight Concert, chances are you’re headed to the Mary Ann Lee Theater. It’s become the go-to venue for those glowing, atmospheric tributes.
✨ Don't miss: Brother May I Have Some Oats Script: Why This Bizarre Pig Meme Refuses to Die
- Candlelight Series: They do everything from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to "Hip-Hop on Strings" (think Prince or Childish Gambino played by a string quartet).
- The Jury Experience: Lately, they’ve been hosting immersive courtroom dramas like Death by AI where the audience acts as the jury.
- Local Legends: Groups like the Saint Louis Ballet and Dance St. Louis use this space when they want a more visceral connection with the audience.
- UMSL Student Productions: Since it's on a campus, you get a lot of raw, high-energy theater from the next generation of performers.
Pro Tips for Your Visit
Parking at UMSL can be a headache if you aren't prepared. The Touhill has its own lot, but on busy nights, it fills up fast. Give yourself 20 minutes just for the "park and walk" phase.
The Acoustics: Because it's a smaller room, the sound is incredibly "dry." This is great for spoken word and acoustic music because you don't get that muddy echo you find in old cathedrals. However, if you're sensitive to loud noises, the "Hip-Hop on Strings" type shows can get surprisingly punchy in there.
The "Other" Lee Spaces: Don't get this theater confused with the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall (at 560 Music Center in University City) or the Mary Ann Lee Service Center at the Botanical Garden. If your ticket says "Touhill," you are going to North County, not the Central West End.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Layout: If you're buying tickets for an immersive show like The Jury Experience, look at the seating chart. Since the theater is flexible, the "front row" isn't always where you think it is.
- Arrive Early for the View: The Touhill lobby is one of the best spots in the city to watch a sunset through the floor-to-ceiling glass.
- Validate Your Parking: Occasionally, campus security gets ticket-happy. Check with the box office or the ushers to see if you need a specific permit or if the lot is "open" for the event.
- Explore the Campus: If you have time before a show, the Gallery 210 nearby often has contemporary art exhibits that are free to the public.
The Mary Ann Lee Theater isn't just a room in a building. It's a testament to a woman who wanted St. Louis to be a bit louder, a bit more cultured, and a lot more interesting. Whether you're there for a string quartet or a murder mystery, you're sitting in one of the most versatile rooms in the Midwest.