After more than eight years, the historic Saenger Theatre will proudly reopen its doors this fall with a grand opening celebration, featuring a lineup of performances commemorating the city's love for live entertainment of all kinds. The initial announcement includes a variety of entertainment beginning on Sept. 28 and continuing through Jan. 10 of 2014. Additional performances will be announced as they are confirmed. The Saenger Theatre is currently undergoing a $52 million restoration led by the City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation, and ACE Theatrical Group.
"The Saenger Theatre is the crown jewel of Canal Street," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. "Combined with new state-of-the-art features and the authentic restoration to its original 1927 design, the new Saenger Theatre will redefine the live entertainment marketplace in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. Today's announcement of the grand opening celebration lineup reestablishes the Saenger as the premier live entertainment venue in the region, truly providing something for everyone."
Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld will kick-off the grand opening weekend in the Saenger Theatre with two comedy performances on Sept. 28. The Saenger Opening Gala, starring Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, will be the highlight of the grand opening celebration with a gala and concert on Oct. 5. More details on the Saenger Opening Gala will be announced in the coming weeks. The lineup continues through the holiday season with a variety of performances, including a historic performance of the Abyssinian Mass, composed and performed by Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Oct. 13, and "Band Together," a free children's concert by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Oct. 2.
The performances mark the culmination of the public-private restoration project and the beginning of the next chapter in the theatre's storied history. "The investment our community has made in this spectacular, historic venue will reap dividends for our citizens for years to come," said David Skinner, General Manager of the Saenger Theatre. "These shows at the Saenger will infuse new lifeblood into this sector of downtown, stimulating economic activity in our retail, restaurant, hospitality and transportation industries throughout the area."
"We are committed to stimulating business development through the adaptive reuse and development of Canal Street," said David Rubenstein, Chair of the Canal Street Development Corporation. "Through our partnerships with the City of New Orleans and ACE Theatrical Group, the Saenger will once again serve as an important anchor that will spur growth and redevelopment along Canal Street."
The lineup of opening shows is as follows:
Performer Name |
Date/Time |
Ticket Prices*
|
On-Sale Date |
For More Information |
Sat., Sept. 28, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. |
$45, $65, $83 |
Fri., June 21, 10 a.m. |
||
Men of Soul with Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, FrEddie Jackson and Howard Hewett |
Sun., Sept. 29, 7 p.m. |
$45, $60, $70, $75, $95 |
Sat., June 22, 10 a.m. |
|
Band Together: A free community concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra |
Wed., Oct. 2, 10 a.m. |
Free |
TBD |
|
D.L. Hughley & Eddie Griffin |
Fri., Oct. 4, 8 p.m. |
$25, $45, $55, $75 |
Sat., June 22, 11 a.m. |
|
Saenger Opening Gala, starring Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra |
Sat., Oct. 5, Time TBD |
On Sale Soon |
On Sale Soon |
www.saengernola.com/shows/OpeningGala
|
Brian Regan |
Thurs., Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. |
$39.50 all seats |
Fri., June 28, 12 p.m. |
|
A Prairie Home Companion, starring Garrison Keillor presented by WWNO |
Sat., Oct. 12, 5 p.m. |
$40, $55, $70, $80
|
Sat., June 29, 12 p.m. |
www.saengernola.com/shows/PrairieHome
|
Wynton Marsalis & The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, performing the Abyssinian Mass |
Sun., Oct. 13, 7 p.m. |
$35.75, $45.75, $55.75, $65.75, $75.75 |
Thurs., June 27, 10 a.m. |
|
1964 The Tribute (Beatles tribute) |
Sat., Nov. 9, 8 p.m. |
$38.75, $43.75, $48.75, $53.75 |
Thurs., June 27, 12 p.m. |
|
Sat., Nov. 16, 8 p.m. |
$48.75, $58.75, $68.75, $78.75 |
Fri., June 28, 10 a.m. |
||
Celtic Thunder |
Sun., Nov. 17, 7 p.m. |
$29.75, $39.75, $49.75, $59.75, $79.75 |
Sat., June 22, 2 p.m. |
|
Joe Bonamassa |
Tues., Nov. 26, 8 p.m. |
$72.75, $82.75, $92.75, $102.75 |
Thurs., June 27, 11 a.m. |
|
The Irish Tenors Christmas |
Tues., Dec. 3, 8 p.m. |
$27.75, $37.75, $47.75, $57.75, $67.75 |
Fri., June 28, 1 p.m. |
|
Fri., Dec. 6, 8 p.m. |
$35.75, $59.75, $79.75, $128.75 |
TBD |
||
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker |
Thurs., Dec. 26, 8 p.m. |
$27.50, $37.50, $48.50, $68, $102 |
Sat., June 29, 11 a.m. |
|
The Fresh Beat Band |
Fri., Jan. 10, 2014, 7 p.m. |
$29.75, $34.75, $39.75, $42.75, $59.75 |
Sat., June 29, 10 a.m. |
* Convenience Charges May Apply. Prices, Dates and Times Subject to Change.
For more information about specific performances, ticketing information, and to sign up to receive advance notification for tickets as they go on sale, visit www.saengernola.com. For photos of each performer, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/78379443@N03/sets/72157634050721197.
Season tickets are still on-sale for the 2013-2014 East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans series and can be purchased by calling (800) 218-7469, or online at www.BroadwayInNewOrleans.com. Individual tickets will be available six to eight weeks prior to each scheduled performance. For group pricing, please call (504) 287-0372. The season will feature The Book of Mormon, Ghost The Musical, Sister Act, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Memphis, War Horse and Rain.
The Saenger Theatre is also announcing a special parking arrangement with the University Place Parking Garage, located across from the Roosevelt Hotel, half a block from the Saenger across Canal Street. All ticket purchasers will have the opportunity to pre-pay for their parking while buying concert tickets through Ticketmaster.com. This option will provide the patron with a reserved space at the garage the day of the event. Parking at the University Place Parking Garage will cost $20, including all services fees.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
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