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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)
LAST ENTRY: 8:30 p.m.
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Showtime: 7:30 p.m. • Run time: 85 minutes
Saint Louis Zoo (Historic Hill)

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Guest alert:

Due to the current extreme heat in our area, the showtime for tonight's performance of "Romeo & Zooliet "will be delayed until 8:15 p.m. out of an abundance of caution for the safety of Zoo staff, volunteers, guests and the cast and crew.

Times for the Prince Pinniped’s Royal Banquet package dinner and meet-and-greet will remain as scheduled. Learn more about "Romeo & Zooliet" at stlzoo.org/shakespeare.

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 fresh and funny 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?

Join us for the show that St. Louis Magazine has called, "The season’s hottest ticket for family-friendly entertainment"!

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.
    (This seating has closest access to the paved pathway. 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
(This seating has closest access to the paved pathway. 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.

Know Before You Go

  • 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.
  • Accessible seating is available with Tier 4; this seating has closest access to the paved pathway. Guests may choose any seat in their zone, and Zoo staff can assist in removing an existing chair. If accommodations are needed to participate in the Royal Banquet experience or to enjoy other seats, please call (314) 646-4797.
  • No outside chairs are allowed.
  • No blanket seating allowed in Tiers 1-4.

Please note that the walk to the seating area includes a hill. Wheelchairs, Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs), and strollers are available for rent at South Rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the popularity of these rentals, we are unable to guarantee availability, and this equipment cannot be reserved in advance. Most restrooms at the Zoo are wheelchair accessible.


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 pause in the show exceeds 70 minutes, the show will be cancelled.

Notice of delays, pauses or cancellations will be made over the stage's public address system at the Zoo and will be posted on the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s social media.

The show will pause if lightning strikes within seven miles of the Zoo. The pause will last 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. The pause may be shortened in the event that the all-clear is given by the National Weather Service.

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.

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. See the map below:

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.

The animals are camera shy: so photography or recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance, and we ask that you kindly place your phones in hibernation-mode.

Last regular entry to the Zoo on Fridays and Saturdays through August 16 is 5:45 p.m. The Zoo closes to the public at 6 p.m. on these days (all pathways, restaurants, exhibits and attractions will no longer be open.) The South Entrance will re-open at 6:30 p.m. for the event.*

Daytime Zoo guests who are planning to attend "Romeo & Zooliet" will need to exit the Zoo and have their event tickets scanned for re-entry to the event.

*Tier 1 VIP entry will begin promptly at 6 p.m."

Parking is included in admission at Tiers 1-3.

For Tiers 4-5, guests will need to pay to park (Zoo members may use their free parking or parking perks). Parking fee is $10 per car; oversized vehicles (over 24 feet) are not permitted on Zoo parking lots.

Wherefore art thou, Romeo & Zooliet merch?

Thee'll findeth by visiting Saint Louis Zoo gift shops or our online store!

Shop NOW

In partnership with


St. Louis Shakespeare Festival