Theater of the decade? Broward Center a finalist
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale is one of 10 finalists for the title of the nation’s Theater of the Decade in balloting organized by influential industry trade publication Pollstar.
The venue is nominated for the Pollstar Award with such iconic venues as Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre in New York City, the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Chicago Theatre.
The 2021 Pollstar Awards are chosen by the publication’s editorial staff to reward “the most commercially and artistically successful” venues and artists, based on Pollstar box-office data and other criteria.
This is the first time the Broward Center has been in the running for a Pollstar Award, which is typically given as an annual honor.
Kelley Shanley, Broward Center president and CEO, views making the cut of finalists as “a win” already for the venue. “And it’s for a decade, so it’s recognizing a sustained effort,” Shanley says.
The past decade at the Broward Center was distinguished by an extensive, $44 million expansion and renovation project that opened in 2014 and added to the capacity, hospitality capabilities and overall beauty of the riverside venue.
“That was something that not many theaters in the country were even considering, much less doing,” Shanley says. “I think, in a sense, we defined ourselves as a bit of a leader in customer experience.”
Shanley says the renovation helped the venue increase the number and breadth of concerts it offered.
The decade also included an unprecedented fiveweek, sell-out run of the culture-shifting Broadway musical “Hamilton,” which made its South Florida premiere during the 20182019 season.
The 32nd annual Pollstar Awards, presented by Live Nation, salute the decade’s best in more than a dozen categories, including artists, innovators, tours, festivals, nightclubs, theaters, amphitheaters and streaming platforms.
Typically open only to subscribers, this year’s Pollstar Awards balloting accepts votes from the general public for the first time. Voting continues through 8 p.m. Friday, May 14, at SurveyMonkey.com/r/WY658FB.
The Broward Center is Florida’s only representation in any category.
Also nominated in the theater balloting are the
Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Durham Performing Arts Center and two venues in Mexico, the Auditorio Nacional and Auditorio Telmex.
Off-and-on South Florida residents Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin are nominated separately as Latin Touring Artist of the Decade.
Winners will be announced June 16 at ceremonies in Los Angeles. For more information visit Pollstar.com.
The Broward Center is gradually moving toward reviving live performances. On Wednesday, May 12, vocalist Nicole Henry and her quintet will perform on a bill presented by Gold Coast Jazz. The show is sold out.
Other shows this week at the Broward Center include local choral group Florida Singing Sons on Friday, May 14, and contemporary dance company Dance NOW! Miami on Saturday, May 15.
For more information on upcoming performances, visit BrowardCenter.org.