FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Josette Roten January 3, 2019 [email protected], 919-281-0815
DPAC Ends 2018 Ranked Among Top-Ten Theaters in the U.S. Record-Breaking Number of Sellouts Among 2018 Highlights
DURHAM, N.C. – 2018 saw events at DPAC that attracted 508,193 guests, with a record 150 of 220 events selling every seat, the most sellouts since the center’s opening in 2008. With these just announced attendance figures, DPAC is once again ranked among the top ten theaters in America by three leading national magazines that cover live entertainment events and venues.
In their year-end published attendance and sales rankings, Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Now all placed DPAC among the top U.S. venues of its size and type. Among US theaters, DPAC was ranked 2nd in Venues Now, 4th in Pollstar, and 6th in Billboard.
Pollstar Billboard Magazine Venues Now 2018 Ticket Sales 2018 Gross Sales 2018 Gross Sales
Top Ten Top Ten Top Ten US Theatre Venues US Venues under 5,000 Seats US Venues 2,001 to 5,000 seats Venue Capacity Venue Capacity Venue Capacity
The Colosseum at Radio City Music Hall – Fox Theatre – 1. 5,900 1. Caesars Palace – 4,000 1. 4,600 New York, NY Atlanta, GA Las Vegas, NV
Fox Theatre – Fox Theatre – 2. 4,600 2. 4,600 2. DPAC – Durham, NC 2,700 Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA
Zappos Theater at Broward Center, Au- Orpheum Theatre – 3. Planet Hollywood – 7,000 3. 2,618 3. Rene Theater – Fort 2,660 Minneapolis, MN Las Vegas, NV Lauderdale, FL
Chicago Theatre – House of Blues – 4. 2,700 4. 3,600 4. 2,425 DPAC – Durham, NC Chicago, IL Boston, MA
Bill Graham Civic Beacon Theatre – New Chicago Theatre – 5. Auditorium – San 8,500 5. 2,900 5. 3,600 York, NY Chicago, IL Francisco, CA
Smart Financial Centre Orpheum Theatre – 6. at Sugar Land – Sugar 6,400 6. DPAC – Durham, NC 2,700 6. 2,670 Minneapolis, MN Land, TX - MORE -
123 Vivian Street | Durham, North Carolina 27701 | Phone: 919.688.3722 | DPACnc.com
Broward Center, Au- Fox Theatre – Detroit, Dreyfoos Hall – West 7. 4,800 7. Rene Theater – Fort 2,660 7. 2,195 MI Palm Beach, FL Lauderdale, FL
Broward Center, Au- Boch Center, Wang Carol Morsani Hall – 8. Rene Theater – Fort 2,660 8. 3,560 8. 2,610 Theatre – Boston, MA Tampa, FL Lauderdale, FL
The Theater at MGM Chicago Theatre – Fox Theatre – Detroit, 9. 3,600 9. National Harbor – 3,000 9. 4,800 Chicago, IL MI Oxon Hill, MD
David A. Straz Jr. Orpheum Theatre – Center for the Beacon Theatre – New 10. 2,670 10. 2,610 10. 2,825 Minneapolis, MN Performing Arts– York, NY Tampa, FL
Operated under the direction of Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management (PFM), DPAC has entertained more than 4 million guests at 2,000+ Broadway, concert, comedy and special events in its ten years of operation.
“With the resources of Nederlander and PFM, DPAC competes to host every major live entertainment event in America that plays venues of our size,” said Bob Klaus, General Manager at DPAC. “In addition to hosting the biggest and best events, our annual ranking as one of the nation’s top venues is also a reflection of the staff dedication and hard work that helps DPAC be our guests’ favorite place for live entertainment.”
Broadway musicals top DPAC’s list of best-selling events every year. DPAC’s signature series, SunTrust Broadway at DPAC, brings the biggest hit Broadway tours from New York, London, and around the globe each season. The groundbreaking Broadway smash Hamilton – DPAC’s top-selling show ever – led the list of Broadway events in 2018, followed by The Phantom of the Opera, which returned to Durham as part of a new North American tour. Perennial Broadway favorites The Book of Mormon and Les Misérables, along with the breakout hit Waitress, rounded out the top five Broadway shows for 2018.
Top 5 Broadway Shows - 2018: 1. Hamilton 2. The Phantom of the Opera 3. The Book of Mormon 4. Les Misérables 5. Waitress
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123 Vivian Street | Durham, North Carolina 27701 | Phone: 919.688.3722 | DPACnc.com
“Whether it’s a hit new musical or a returning favorite, Nederlander’s booking office in New York always lands the best Broadway shows to perform at DPAC before they play any other theaters in the Southeast,” said Rachel Traversari, DPAC’s Senior Director of Marketing. “We love presenting these incredible performances that have helped establish SunTrust Broadway as one of the most successful Broadway series in America.”
Truly offering something for everyone, DPAC hosted over 25 top-selling concerts this year in a wide variety of diverse musical genres. Holiday shows from Mannheim Steamroller, marking the 34th anniversary of the group’s Christmas Tour, topped the list of 2018 concerts. DPAC’s top five concerts also included eight-time Grammy winner Anita Baker, who came to DPAC on her farewell concert tour; folk-rock legend Bob Dylan, one of the most acclaimed rock artists of the past century; David Byrne, who performed songs from the Talking Heads to his critically acclaimed solo career; and Grammy-winning Americana singer-songwriter Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit.
Top 15 Concerts - 2018: 1. Mannheim Steamroller 6. Diana Krall 12. Yanni 25 - Acropolis (2 shows) 7. Jill Scott Anniversary Tour 2. Anita Baker 8. Smokey Robinson 13. Maze 3. Bob Dylan 9. Frankie Valli 14. The Temptations and 4. David Byrne 10. Patti Labelle the Four Tops 5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 11. RBRM: Ronny, Bobby, 15. Joan Baez (2 shows) Ricky & Mike
Complementing its showcase of Broadway blockbusters and concert performances, DPAC also hosted some of the biggest comedians in the world plus a wide variety of special events in 2018. Comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld led the list of top comedy events with two sold-out shows. Topping the list of DPAC’s special events was Ira David Wood III’s musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a Triangle holiday classic that has performed at DPAC every season since 2008.
Top 5 Comedy Shows - 2018: Top 5 Special Events - 2018: 1. Jerry Seinfeld (2 shows) 1. A Christmas Carol (6 performances) 2. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All 2. Paw Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate (2 shows) Adventure (5 performances) 3. Aziz Ansari (2 shows) 3. Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker (3 4. Impractical Jokers (2 shows) performances) 5. Joe Rogan (2 shows) 4. Joe Biden: American Promise Tour 5. American Dance Festival (8 performances)
“As much as our guests love Broadway, DPAC is also known for its outstanding concerts, comedy performances, and special events,” said Brad Saks, DPAC’s Director of Programming for Concerts, Comedy and Special Events. “Every day we’re reaching out to the top talent agents and concert promoters around the world so we can bring amazing and legendary performers to the stage at DPAC.” - MORE -
123 Vivian Street | Durham, North Carolina 27701 | Phone: 919.688.3722 | DPACnc.com
In addition to the year-end publication rankings placing DPAC among the nation’s top venues, this year marked DPAC’s first nomination – and first win – for the Theater of the Year award from the International Entertainment Buyers Association. DPAC also received the 2018 NC Visitor Attraction of the Year award from the NC Travel Industry Association.
Link to Venue Photos: http://bit.ly/DPACVenue18 Link to Top Broadway B-roll & Photos: http://bit.ly/DPAC2018TopBroadway Link to Top Concerts Photos: http://bit.ly/2CfsNLl_TopConcerts2018 Link to Top Comedy/Special Events Photos: http://bit.ly/2zZiZ6J_TopComedyandSpecial2018
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About DPAC Since its opening in 2008, DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) has become the center for live entertainment in North Carolina. Recognized for its contemporary design, DPAC features 2,700 seats, intimate sightlines and state-of- the-art sound and video. Ranked annually among the top-ten theaters in America by three leading national magazines that cover live entertainment events and venues, DPAC attracts over 500,000 guests per year to its 200+ events.
With a mission of presenting one-of-a-kind live entertainment events, DPAC truly has “something for everyone,” hosting more than 200 performances a year, including spectacular touring Broadway productions, high-profile concert and comedy events, family shows and the heralded American Dance Festival. Owned by the City of Durham and operated under the direction of Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management (PFM), since 2011 DPAC has been listed as the #1 performing arts organization in the region by the Triangle Business Journal. For more information please go to www.DPACnc.com.
123 Vivian Street | Durham, North Carolina 27701 | Phone: 919.688.3722 | DPACnc.com