What to call it
Ticket listings often use the full name, Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater. Locals just say the Mahaffey. The Duke Energy part names the campus around the theater. It started as the Progress Energy Center for the Arts in 2007 and took the Duke name after Progress Energy merged into Duke Energy. The Mahaffey name honors a local St. Petersburg family who gave to the theater's capital campaign.
On the bayfront since 1965
The theater opened on May 6, 1965, as part of the city's Bayfront Center complex, next to an arena. The arena came down in 2004 and the theater stayed. A renovation in the late 1980s added a mezzanine, and a $20 million project after the arena's demolition added a three story glass atrium and a bigger lobby and replaced the building's mechanical and electrical systems. It also hosted the 1996 vice presidential debate between Al Gore and Jack Kemp.
The City of St. Petersburg owns the Mahaffey, and Big3 Entertainment, the company led by Bill Edwards, runs it. The Dali Museum is the next building over.
Inside
The hall has 2,031 seats, with European style box seating, and the lobby looks out over Tampa Bay. The Florida Orchestra is a major resident, and the rest of the calendar covers Broadway tours, comedy, pop and rock, country, folk, jazz and dance. Because the room is seated, it suits singers and veteran bands who want people listening, not just standing around.
Exit 22 and Gate 1
From I-275 in either direction, take exit 22 for I-175. It turns into Fifth Avenue South. Follow it to First Street South, turn left, then turn right at Gate 1 for the theater's own parking, and follow the attendants. The theater asks people to arrive at least 45 minutes before showtime, which is good advice on any night when downtown is busy.
Rideshare pickup is on Bayshore Drive on the east side of the theater, near the fountain. Latecomers are seated at the theater's discretion, so build in a cushion for I-275 traffic across the Howard Frankland if you are coming from Tampa.
Orchestra nights here are on the classical calendar. For a standing show downtown, try Jannus Live, and every area date is on the St. Pete page.
