The city of Jackson issued the following press release.
Today, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, along with Deputy Director of
Cultural Services, David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi
Symphony Orchestra,
Michael Beattie, and Visit Jackson President, Rickey Thigpen held a
press conference highlighting a record-breaking year of accomplishments
for Thalia Mara Hall and announced a full lineup of performances for the
upcoming 2019-2020 season.
“We
are very excited about the success of Thalia Mara [and] we’re thankful
for the work that is taking place here. Over the last few years we’ve
seen a steady increase of attendance at
Thalia Mara Hall and they truly broke through the glass ceiling this
past year. We look to capitalize on that,” said Mayor Lumumba.
Thalia Mara Hall boasts a 35% increase in revenue and nearly 100,000 visitors from the previous year, with show-stopping productions like Les Miserables, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Final Play, The Price is Right, and performances by Mavis Staples, Cindy Lauper, Maxwell, Kevin Gates, and 85 South.
Just last month, the theatre hosted the Mississippi Book Festival and author Dav Pilkey where 4200 students received a copy of Pilkey’s new book and a $20.00 gift card to Lemuria. Additionally, the Broadway Series joined forces with the Les Miserables tour and Jackson Public Schools to invite students and their parents to a special performance. Thanks Thalia Mara Hall’s new Increased Access to Arts Program, the actors visited Power APAC the following day to speak with students about working in live theatre.
The upcoming season of performances is full of entertainment to suit every pallet.
In its 55th year, Ballet Mississippi will stage the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, led by David Keary, who celebrates 25 years with the company.
Continuing the momentum from last year, Ardenland has announced upcoming performances from Christian rock artist, Switchfoot, rock cover band legend, Black Jacket Symphony featuring the music of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, and the return of Disney Junior.
The 2019-2020 Broadway in Jackson series will kick off with the classic, Fiddler on the Roof followed by the popular musical Cats for two nights and two newer productions – Beautiful: A Carole King Musical and An American in Paris. For the Jackson LIVE! Series, the following productions will be featured: We Will Rock You: A Queen Musical in October, two nights of The Color Purple in November, Cirque Dreams: Holidaze in December, and two nights of crowd-favorite The Blue Man Group in June.
The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will celebrate 75 outstanding seasons at Thalia Mara Hall with their opening night performance Shining Start on October 12th. This season will include a tribute to Aretha Franklin as the first in the Symphony’s Pops Series, set for October 26th and will close with a spectacular performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, featuring five area-university choirs on March 28th.
“All of the productions, events, and shows that we host here at Thalia Mara Hall have a tremendous impact on the economy of our city. We work to find new and innovative ways to create offerings that shape Jackson into a destination, but also provide incredible talent and entertainment for the citizens of Jackson and the metro area, “ said Deputy Director of Cultural Services, David Lewis.
For more information on upcoming performances and ticket sales, visit www.thaliamarahall.net.
29 comments:
I saw blue man group in Vegas. They are a strange but impressive act. Fleetwood Mac will be awesome.
It appears that the residents of South and West Jackson have bought into the TM productions-
Ok, cautiously optimistic here ... revenue is up but what about expenses? In the concert business, the money "made" off of a show can disappear quickly. Too many people to pay.
Nice work, I really like Thalia Mara Hall - great venue.
Great Job! and good to hear! Congratulations are definitely in order for all involved who give of their time to utilize this resource that is for all of the metro area and Mississippi, and also exposing so many young people to the arts that are out there!
I attend several shows at Thalia Mara... I would like to point out that the city of Jackson leadership had absolutely nothing to do with the success. Also, does anyone know if kenniff stokes will be allowed to continue his salary dispite taking a leave of absence for 6 months?
But, will they fix the water fountains that have an out of order sign on them?
Besides quality events, it's in a relatively safe area of Jackson, although street lighting needs to be improved. Kudos to all involved!
@9:36
The demographics I tend to notice reflect those of fondren belhaven and BE Jackson as well as the burbs whenever I attend the shows at TM. What are you trying to say?
it just shows that if you hire the right people (Beattie, Lewis, Thigpen) positive things can happen in Jackson.
elect the wrong mayor, city council...well we see what happens there..
It was that 2 night run of Widespread Panic that gave it the boost.
"Fleetwood Mac will be awesome. "
REad carefully - it's not Fleetwood Mac - it's some cover group playing their songs.
Revenue was up 35%, 100,000 visitors, yada, yada, yada. Lots of talk from Mayor Gum Flap but he goes out of his way, doesn't he, to not mention what the actual revenue number was. It isn't what he's talking about, it's the information he's not sharing. That is what scam artist do. Selectively share information.
My guess is whatever net gains generated at Thalia Mara were more than offset by the losses at the zoo Lumumba just closed. And make no mistake about it, Mayor Lumumba closed the zoo.
12:18
Widespread Panic was at the Brandon Amphitheater.
9:43 You needn't worry about the money. Thalia Mara will get the rate it charges & the promoter will profit if all goes well. He's the one taking ALL the risk.
I've wanted to see Blue Man Group for 20 years. I will finally have my chance. I think it will be fun.
10:14
So none of the success is due to the city, but all the problems are according to you I bet.
@3:53
Hey, 10:14 responding here. I'm a lifelong resident of Jackson and an advocate for the city as well. It is completely accurate that the success is not due to the city. Why would you suggest otherwise. Yes the city leadership does a poor job. Virgi does well as does priezter... however we as a city have a major problem with leadership. I know cgocjwe well and I also went to St Joe school with him. Leadership is absolute garbage. Count Ashby Foote as equal if not worse than stokes. No one is as bad as ole boy on the council from South Jackson. That guy is horrible.
So most of the new attendees were school students that got in free?
Who cares about revenue if the year over year losses just also got bigger by 55%?
@6:56
What are you talking about?
@2:24
Widespread panic had several shows at Thalia Mara hall also
I enjoy the venue, once I get inside, during daylight hours. But, I'm uncomfortable after dark when leaving the building, crossing the street and negotiating the cave-parking-lot. There seems to be zero security, police or otherwise.
I'll standby now for the usual pretenders who'll claim I'm a chicken shit, Jackson is safe and I have nothing to worry about and need to keep my ass in Madison County. But, the fact is, most folks feel the same way.
2:24, WSP sold out Thalia Mara for 2 nights the year before, then came to the Amphitheater. I was at both.
I think part of good for the entertainment boom to Thalia Mara and in the Jackson metro has to be accredited to Arden Barnett. He's been doing some solid work over the past many years.
@5:34 AM
Thank Phil and the legislature for passing laws that allow ladies like you to carry a pistol in your little fashion handbag without a permit.
I was impressed with the new and improved Thalia Mara. It was very nice, and the staff was on top of their game. My first concert was seeing Bob Dylan there many years ago.
WSP hasn't played Thalia Mara since 2016. I love Panic as well, but ease up on whatever you are doing. It is catching up to you if you are having 2 year gaps in memory.
Reply to "But I'll shoot you in a heartbeat (lol)"
I frequent Thalia Mara and they have plenty of security. I'm sorry 100 officers can't be on stand by for you to feel safe. So I guess keep that pistol on your ankle for something that is probably not going to happen?
Actually there's 3-4X cops visible BEFORE the event than when leaving... it's a trick.
12:51 - You're wrong. There is zero security outside the building or at the street, after dark, following events. And to 9:49, you are right. This lady will blow your ass away if need be, and we all should be thankful for this law. Please know this: It's too large for a fashion handbag, unlike anything you're packin'.
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