Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, FL
Opened in 1949 during a time when Florida was becoming the ideal winter home for many northerners, the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach has throughout the decades garnered a reputation as a world-class entertainment venue. Named in honor of Simon J. Peabody, who donated the land on which the auditorium stands, this venue has welcomed literally thousands of well-known musicians who come from a variety of genres, has provided a stage for the best in Broadway-style productions, and continues to be the center for arts and culture in the Daytona Beach area.
Open year round, the Peabody Auditorium can accommodate a total of just over 2,500 patrons. It is built in three levels. The Orchestra level holds about 1,500 audience members, the Loge or First Balcony accommodates about 500, and the Second Balcony can seat an additional 500. The layout of the theater is such that most of the seats are excellent and very few offer limited or obscured views.
Peabody Auditorium’s schedule is very busy and it’s not unusual for the venue to host concerts or other events at least 3 to 4 times each week. The Daytona Beach Symphony Society has called the auditorium home since 1951 and the venue has also been the U.S. home of the London Symphony Orchestra since the early 1970s. Other music offerings range from rock concerts to presentations by renowned classical vocalists. Over the years, Peabody has played host to such big names in music as Liza Minelli, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, Alice Cooper, Ithzhak Perlman, Frank Sinatra, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and a host of other musical acts of all types.
In the realm of theater, the Peabody Auditorium hosts an annual Broadway series that allows patrons to experience the finest in Broadway productions without ever leaving Florida. Musicals presented at Peabody have included Avenue Q, CATS, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Annie, Drowsy Chaperone, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many others. Patrons can purchase tickets for the entire series or can opt to purchase them for just one musical.
There’s plenty here that's available for younger audience members as well. Peabody Auditorium hosts a fine children’s series for young theater-goers and also offers family concerts and other events that are suitable for kids. Most children’s theater offerings are held on Saturday mornings.
Other concerts and events held at this auditorium include comedy shows, ethnic dance troupes, an annual Nutcracker ballet, concerts by Volusia County school students, and even opera.
Parts of Peabody Auditorium are also available for rental, including the main stage area. In addition, the Rose Room and the Atlantic Room can be rented for social events, meetings, or other gatherings. The Atlantic Room also boasts a huge dance floor and is often rented to area studios for rehearsals or competitions. Some kitchen facilities are available on site as well.
Peabody Auditorium offers memberships to local patrons, which provide the ability to purchase tickets before they are released to the general public, invitations to special events, a monthly e-newsletter, food coupons, free tours, and recognition in Playbills and other publications.
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