ACE Theatrical Group Trumpets New Orleans as a Top Stage Production Location in Variety Magazine

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ACE Theatrical Group Trumpets New Orleans as a Top Stage Production Location in Variety Magazine

(New Orleans, LA) - April 24, 2012 - On the heels of a record-breaking run of Disney's Tony-winning blockbuster The Lion King in New Orleans, ACE Theatrical Group is touting the Big Easy as a top stage production location in the entertainment's premier magazine, Variety.

"New Orleans embraces the performing arts. You can see it at every stage performance or walking down the street. We want more national touring and original stage productions to add our great city to their line-ups," said David Skinner, general manager of Arts Center Enterprises New Orleans. "Producers and touring companies need to know that it makes business sense to invest in New Orleans. Spreading the city's message in Variety is our way of shouting that sentiment from the rooftop."

A full-page ad will appear in Variety's annual TONY Awards preview edition hitting the stands April 23, promoting the city as a premier venue for stage production. The ad celebrates the roaring success of The Lion King, which has become the highest-grossing theatrical production in New Orleans history. More than 87,000 guests attended a performance during the show's recently concluded five-week run at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, resulting in an estimated $22 million in economic impact to the City.

ACE Theatrical Group is currently working alongside the City of New Orleans and the Canal Street Development Corporation to complete a $51 million restoration of the historic Saenger Theatre. With an expected completion date of spring 2013, architects and artisans will recreate the Saenger's original interior look and feel, including decorative elements and ornamentation. The Theatre's stage house will expand, allowing for larger productions and a wide range of programs and special events.

With the expected completion of the Saenger Theatre next spring and the continued success of the Mahalia Jackson Theater, the time is right to market New Orleans as a market for the best and largest touring productions. "Especially Broadway productions that are seeking to take advantage of the new tax credits that are available to original works that are produced here," said Skinner.

Skinner points to the success of the national tour premiere of "The Addams Family" which launched its tour in New Orleans. "The producers of that tour spent nearly four weeks in pre-production and rehearsals in the theatre followed by a ten performance engagement," added Skinner, "resulting in millions of dollars of economic impact."

In addition, to its ongoing work at the Saenger, ACE Theatrical Group has successfully managed the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts since 2009, hosting more than 500 performances and welcoming over 500,000 patrons, including national stage productions during the last three years such as Wicked, The Color Purple, West Side Story, Spamalot, South Pacific and Blue Man Group.

The 2012-13 East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans series at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts will include a show line-up that is unprecedented in the city, including the 25^th anniversary production of Les Miserables, Oct. 30 - Nov. 4, 2012; Mary Poppins, Dec. 18 - 23, 2012; Jersey Boys, Jan. 8-27, 2013; and a special return engagement of Wicked, May 8-June 2, 2013. Season tickets for next season are now on sale. Visit www.mahaliajacksontheater.com.

About ACE Theatrical Group
ACE Theatrical Group, LLC is a theatrical management and development company formed by entertainment industry veterans specializing in the design, development, construction and operation of first class, live performance venues throughout North America. The company has a long history of working with municipalities, non-profit agencies and community groups to develop spectacular performance facilities with state-of-the-art improvements emphasizing patron comfort and artist's technical needs.

ACE Theatrical Group is based in Houston, TX, with offices in New York, San Antonio and New Orleans. The principals have over 175 years combined experience and collectively have development and management credits in 35 theatrical venues in the United States and Canada, with 20 of those also including the design and construction of those projects. Visit www.acetheatrical.com for more information.

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