Romeo & Zooliet
July 8 – Aug. 17, 2025
Tuesday through Sunday evenings
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Entry time: 6:30 p.m.
(6 p.m. for VIP ticketholders)
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Run time: 85 minutes
Saint Louis Zoo (Historic Hill)
Have you ever wondered what happens when the Zoo closes and the keepers go home for the night?
Well ... what if the animals put on their very own Shakespearean performance?!
"Romeo & Zooliet" is a family-friendly stage adaptation produced exclusively for the Saint Louis Zoo. In partnership with the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, the production features dazzling animal puppetry by world-renowned Michael Curry Design, known for its work on Broadway’s "The Lion King" and "Frozen" along with Olympic and Super Bowl ceremonies.
How the Story Unfolds
“Romeo and Zooliet” tells the story of animals inside the Saint Louis Zoo mounting their own production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” In this animal-centered version, the Montagues are herbivores and the Capulets are carnivores. Can Romeo, a prairie dog, and Juliet, a grizzly bear, cross the biological divide and become best friends?
TICKETING OPTIONS
Ticketing options (see below) are tiered, allowing you to choose experiences ranging from the best seats with dinner included, to a casual night with the kids on the lawn!
- Free parking on the South Lot is included with Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3.
- Member-discounted pricing is available with Tier 4 and Tier 5.
- Tiers 1-4 include chair seating. (No outside chairs or blanket seating allowed in Tiers 1-4.)
- Tier 5 is bring-your-own-blanket seating. (No chairs allowed in Tier 5.)
- Accessible seating is available with Tier 4.
(If accommodations are needed to participate in the Royal Banquet experience or to enjoy other seats, please call (314) 646-4797.) - ASL and Audio Description night on Wednesday, July 16.
- Group tickets for 15+ people are available for Tier 4 and Tier 5 by calling (314) 646-4781.
PLEASE NOTE: Ticket purchases for events, tours and attractions incur an additional, non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per transaction.
SEATING
TIER 5
Tybalt’s Turf
Member-discounted pricing • Bring-your-own-blanket seating
(No chairs allowed.)
TIER 4
Mercutio’s Manor
Member-discounted pricing • ACCESSIBLE SEATING AVAILABLE
(Includes chair seating. No outside chairs or blanket seating allowed.)
TIER 3
Romeo’s Burrow
FREE Parking • $5 concessions voucher • CENTRALIZED SEATS
(Includes chair seating. No outside chairs or blanket seating allowed.)
TIER 2
Juliet’s Balcony
FREE Parking • $10 concessions voucher • PREMIUM SEATS
(Includes chair seating. No outside chairs or blanket seating allowed.)
TIER 1 VIP
Prince Pinniped’s Royal Banquet
FREE Parking • Private dinner on the Sea Lion Sound Terraces • Special meet-and-greet with a Romeo & Zooliet cast member • Educational presentation from Zoo team member • BEST SEATS!
(Includes chair seating. No outside chairs or blanket seating allowed.)
The puppets visit the Zoo!
Sneak peek!
The AMAZING, life-size animal puppets featured in this summer's "Romeo & Zooliet" at the Zoo are starting to come to life in the design studio. Michael Curry Design — famous for the incredible puppets in "The Lion King" and "Frozen" on Broadway — is creating bespoke puppets specially for this original, family-friendly play. Take a peek behind the scenes at the work-in-progress versions of the puppets.
Frequently Hath Asked Questions
- Tiers 1-4 include chair seating.
- Tier 5 is bring-your-own blanket seating.
- All tiers are "open seating" within each tier. If lone seats are left open, groups may be asked to shift over to allow a group to sit together.
- No outside chairs are allowed.
- No blanket seating allowed in Tiers 1-4.
Performances may be delayed or paused due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. We will make every effort to continue the show. Performances will not be canceled before 8:30 p.m. unless warranted by safety concerns.
If a show is canceled less than 45 minutes into the performance (measured from the actual start time), partial or full refunds will be issued as follows:
- Tier 1: Partial refund (excludes VIP experience, food voucher, and parking).
- Tiers 2 & 3: Partial refund (excludes food voucher and parking).
- Tiers 4 & 5: Full refund.
A Zoo representative will contact ticket holders receiving partial refunds to process the refunds to the original form of payment. Refunds will be issued as promptly as possible. Please note that tickets are not transferable and are only valid for the date on your ticket. If a performance is canceled, we encourage you to purchase tickets for another night of the event.
Cancellation policy subject to modification. Please check back for updates.
- Tickets are nonrefundable (except as outlined above in "Weather • Cancellations").
- Want to exchange your tickets for a different date of the event?
We do our best to offer flexibility and accommodate such requests as ticket availability allows. However, in such instances, please note our policy remains that tickets are nonrefundable.
Please note a security screening system is now in place at the Zoo's entrances. This new system is designed to detect concealed weapons as guests enter the Zoo.
For everyone’s safety, guests with large bags, strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, backpacks and purses may be directed by a security attendant to a bag search after passing through the automatic detection system.
Food and beverages can be purchased at Tundra Treats and East Refreshments. No outside food or drink is permitted. Guests with Tier 1 tickets receive a dinner from Safari Grill before the show. Guests with Tier 2 and Tier 3 tickets receive vouchers towards food and beverages from our open eateries.
Wherefore art thou, Romeo & Zooliet merch?
Thee'll findeth by visiting Saint Louis Zoo gift shops or our online store!
