JAX Chamber: The Florida Theatre Is Ranked 21st Most Attended Theatre Worldwide For 2021

Jacksonville FL

18 December, 2021

1:42 PM

Description

Press release from the JAX Chamber: December 17, 2021   "We started this year with Sister Hazel on January 16. We were open at just 50% of our capacity, with masks and other protocols in place. We typically sold less than half of that for months. We returned to 100% capacity in July with a sold out REO Speedwagon show, and by this fall we were doing repeated sell out business with Nate Bargatze on October 9, Bert Kreischer on October 23, and ZZ Top on November 24, among others. It has been a very unusual year," Numa Saisselin, President of the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre, said.   "What's crazy is that attendance of just 49,729 got us to number 21 this year. That's about one quarter of our typical annual attendance, and shows you the impact that the pandemic has had on the live entertainment industry. It feels good to be back in business," Kevin Stone, Vice President of Programming at the Florida Theatre, said.   The other competitive theatre venue in the market, the Moran Theatre at the Times-Union Center, reported annual attendance of 10,331, ranking it number 130 on the Top 200 theatre venues chart. "In a very challenging year, this achievement shows that the Florida Theatre has worked hard to do something positive for its community at a time when something positive has been needed. One of the positive things that I hope comes out of the pandemic is a deeper appreciation for the things that we were deprived of. I hope that includes a deeper appreciation for the value of being able to come together and enjoy the live performing arts communally with friends and neighbors," Saisselin said.   By December 31, 2021, the Florida Theatre will have presented over 80 shows in 2021. The final performances of the year are Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical on December 21, and magician Adam Trent on December 26. Tickets are available for both from the theatre's Box Office at 904-355-ARTS or floridatheatre.com.   The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is season sponsored by Community First Credit Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Theatre's official website, floridatheatre.com.   WEBSITES:                       floridatheatre.com    MEDIA CONTACT:        Shannon Greene Interim Marketing Director         [email protected] / (904) 864-6449   This press release was produced by the JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author's own.