Tennessee Theatre joins the National Broadway League

Broadway at the Tennessee 2013-2014 selling at record-breaking pace

KNOXVILLE -- The Tennessee Theatre recently joined the ranks of select theatres across the country attracting the highest-quality Broadway national tours through membership in the National Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry.

“This is huge step forward for the arts in Knoxville,” said Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Tom Cervone. “With our induction into the Broadway League, we are guaranteed a seat at the table to negotiate with the most popular and spectacular traveling productions. Our patrons are going to see an enhanced Broadway experience that will capitalize on the momentum from our already successful Broadway at the Tennessee series.”

The Broadway League is an exclusive 700-plus member organization of theatre owners, operators, producers, presenters and general managers in New York City and more than 200 cities across North America. Broadway League members have voting power in the industry’s most prestigious awards show, the Tony Awards, as well as access to industry resources to strengthen Broadway theatre’s position as the pinnacle of live entertainment across the country.

Membership in the Broadway League was instrumental in allowing the Tennessee Theatre to attract its high-impact 2013-2014 lineup, including the hit Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys,” performing an eight-show run April 29-May 4, as the marquee performance. Other performances include “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Elf the Musical,” “Memphis,” “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Stomp.”

Broadway at the Tennessee began at the Tennessee Theatre in 2008 and has gained momentum in the past few years with record-breaking attendance records at “Les Miserables” in 2012 and “Mary Poppins” in March.

Prior to the 2011-2012 season, the best-selling performance was “Mamma Mia,” which brought more than 5,400 guests into the theatre in 2010. “Les Miserables” and “Mary Poppins” easily broke that record, doubling the previous attendance record with both shows bringing an average of more than 10,000 patrons to the Tennessee Theatre. This year’s Broadway lineup is poised to continue the upward trend.

“With two months to go before our season opens, we have already set a record for season subscription sales,” said Cervone. “This is a testament to the quality performances we have on this year’s docket.”

More than 80 percent of those who attended last year’s Broadway performances have renewed for next season, and 400 new members have already signed up. In total, the Tennessee Theatre has more than 1,000 season subscriptions, a record total.

For more information about the 2013-2014 Broadway at the Tennessee season or purchase season tickets, visit www.tennesseetheatre.com. Tickets to individual shows will go on sale in August.

Published June 30, 2013