Peabody Auditorium facts for kids
| Address | 600 Auditorium Blvd Daytona Beach, Florida  United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°13′38″N 81°00′38″W / 29.22735°N 81.01057°W |
| Capacity | 2,521 |
| Opened | October 6, 1949 |
The Peabody Auditorium is a famous theater located in Daytona Beach, Florida. For over 70 years, it has been a special place for many different performances. It is home to the Daytona Beach Symphony Society and was also the summer home for the London Symphony Orchestra for many years.
This large theater can hold 2,521 people. It hosts a wide variety of shows, including touring Broadway plays, concerts by famous performers, opera, drama, and comedy. Besides these big shows, the Peabody also welcomes local groups like ballet companies, schools, and competitions for cheerleading, dance, and bodybuilding.
The Story of the Peabody Auditorium
Before the current Peabody Auditorium, there was an older theater in Daytona Beach. It was built in 1919 and hosted many famous artists, like the dancer Rudolph Nureyev and the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Sadly, this old building was destroyed by a fire in 1946.
After the fire, the city of Daytona Beach and many generous people worked together to build a new, even better auditorium. It cost about $750,000 to build, which was a lot of money back in those days! The new Peabody Auditorium opened its doors on October 6, 1949. It was named in honor of Simon J. Peabody. He was a kind person who donated the land for the first auditorium and helped a lot with its creation. Outside the building, you can see cool sculptures of four muses, made by an artist named Frederick Dana Marsh.
For a few years after it opened, until 1952, only white people were allowed to attend events at the Peabody Auditorium. This rule changed, making the auditorium open to everyone.
What Happens at the Peabody?
The Peabody Auditorium has a long history of hosting amazing stars from all over the world. Some of the famous performers who have been on its stage include Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Seinfeld, and David Copperfield.
The Peabody has also presented many popular Broadway shows. These include CATS, 42nd Street, Chicago, STOMP, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Riverdance. It's a place where you can see many different kinds of exciting entertainment!
External links
- Peabody Auditorium on postcards
