Mahaffey Theater

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Mahaffey Theater is a concert hall located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The facility first opened in May, 1965.[1] It is one of the prime venues for the Florida Orchestra and hosts traveling Broadway shows. The theater lobby overlooks Tampa Bay through a three-story glass wall.[2] The Mahaffey Theater Foundation for the Performing Arts, a charity associated with the theater, provides education and support for young people in the performing arts.[3]

[edit] History

The theater was the site of the 1996 vice presidential debate between Al Gore and Jack Kemp.[2]

In 2003, Mahaffey hosted 234 performances that drew 169,000 paid visitors. In addition to the Florida Orchestra's performances, its top-grossing productions were Riverdance, which appeared for five days, drew an audience of 5,931 and produced a net revenue of $18,884, and the three-day Miss Florida Pageant, which brought in 2,661 people and netted $11,043. Elvis' Birthday Bash came in fifth with 1,280 in the audience and $5,183 in revenues.[4]

In 2005, Mahaffey Theater, "the city's pre-eminent performing arts venue,"[4] underwent a $20-million renovation.[2] The city-owned, 2,030-seat theater[2] is managed by Philadelphia-based SMG, a theater management company.[4]

In 2007, Mahaffey was scheduled to host the September 17 nationally televised presidential Republican Party primary debate, but the majority of candidates had scheduling issues and could not attend.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "RussianTampa.com - Mahaffey Theater"
  2. ^ a b c d e "St. Petersburg to Host GOP Debate." Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times (Florida). A1. July 19, 2007.
  3. ^ "Theater charity is reborn with an eye toward youth." Mary Jane Park. St. Petersburg Times (Florida). NEIGHBORHOOD TIMES. July 30, 2006.
  4. ^ a b c "New stage, new bill?" Leonora LaPeter and Mary Jane Park. St. Petersburg Times (Florida). NEIGHBORHOOD TIMES; Pg. 1. August 28, 2005.

[edit] External links


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