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.