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DPAC Ends 2018 Ranked Among Top-Ten Theaters In The U.S.; Record-Breaking Number Of Sellouts

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

DURHAM, NC – 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.

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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.

recordTop 5 Broadway Shows – 2018:

  1. Hamilton
  2. The Phantom of the Opera
  3. The Book of Mormon
  4. Les Misérables
  5. Waitress

“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.

recordTop 15 Concerts – 2018:                                                                           

  1. Mannheim Steamroller (2 shows)
  2. Anita Baker                       
  3. Bob Dylan
  4. David Byrne
  5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (2 shows)
  6. Diana Krall                                         
  7. Jill Scott
  8. Smokey Robinson
  9. Frankie Valli
  10. Patti Labelle
  11. RBRM: Ronny, Bobby, Ricky & Mike
  12. Yanni 25 – Acropolis Anniversary Tour
  13. Maze
  14. The Temptations and the Four Tops
  15. Joan Baez

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:

  1. Jerry Seinfeld (2 shows)
  2. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All (2 shows)
  3. Aziz Ansari (2 shows)
  4. Impractical Jokers (2 shows)
  5. Joe Rogan (2 shows) 

recordTop 5 Special Events – 2018:

  1. A Christmas Carol (6 performances)
  2. Paw Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” (5 performances)
  3. Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker (3 performances)
  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.”

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.