Let’s be honest, St. Louis is not exactly known for its theatrical offerings. We don’t have dozens and dozens of theaters like Broadway or London’s West End, but we do have the Fox Theatre on 527 N. Grand Blvd. This year’s shows include “Mamma Mia,” “Grease,” “In the Heights” and “Avenue Q,” among many other plays and concerts. The Fox’s shows can star entirely local casts, and it can be a popular locale for touring musicals. Tickets can run anywhere from $20 to $70 and are available online, along with the full schedule of shows, at www.fabulousfox.com.

Located near Saint Louis University, the theater is accessible by car or by the Grand Metro stop, which is about a 15-minute walk away. There are plenty of restaurants at various price points located on the same block as the Fox, giving you countless dinner and show options.

Aside from offering wonderful performances, the Fox is also an amazingly beautiful building. The entire theater is designed with an Indian sultan feel. There are golden elephants, lushly colored carpets and walls, and ornate decorations everywhere. No matter how much time you spend in the theater, you can always find some new, breathtaking detail.

But while every inch of the building is beautiful, it is not acoustically equal in all sections. Considering my several visits to the theater and the various places I’ve sat, I’d recommend getting seats as close to the center as possible. The music and lines tend to be garbled and more difficult to understand in the seats along the sides. As for viewing ability, there’s really no difference between the Fox and other theaters; the further back you get, the smaller the actors will look to you.

Being in St. Louis does not have to close you off to Broadway, especially if you’re a lover of all things created by Andrew Lloyd Webber or sung by Kristin Chenoweth. The Fox Theatre provides you with quality shows and an overall beautiful experience. Upcoming performances include “In the Heights,” a hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical (Nov. 10-22) and the classic “Little House on the Prairie” (Nov. 24-29). So get tickets to a show this year because we could all use a little more choreography and harmony in our lives.