Tanger Center in Greensboro reveals changes coming to venue during 2025 season (2024)

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts has some exciting developments for its 2025 season.

During a luncheon event held Tuesday, representatives from the Tanger Center, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and others gave a glimpse into the venue’s plans for the 2025 season, its first under new management.

“Thank you to every single person in this room for what you did and how you made this a reality,” Vaughan told an audience of donors, season ticket holders and others. “Without your financial contributions, believe me, we would not be sitting here today.”

In March, the city council decided toturn over operations at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts and Greensboro ColiseumtoOVG360, also known as Oak View Group, a private management company based out of California.

OVG360, which operates 240 venues and 356 hospitality venues across the country, is already a partner to the City of Greensboro, providing food, beverage and hospitality for the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Across its venues, the organization offers more than 9,000 live events every year with more than 100 million attendees.

The Tanger Center, in partnership with Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management, has already announced nine shows planned from September 2024 through June 2025.

The main season will include “Mamma Mia!” from Sept. 17-22, 2024, “& Juliet” from Oct. 8-13, 2024, “Hamilton” from Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025, “MJ: The Musical” from Feb. 18-23, 2025, “A Beautiful Noise,” the Neil Diamond musical, from March 4-9, 2025, “Back to the Future: The Musical” from May 6-11, 2025, and “Some Like It Hot” from June 24-29, 2025.

This lineup of Broadway heavy-hitters proves the goal of Peter Luukko, co-chairman of OVG360.

“How do we keep this venue on the map? How do we tell the world how special not only the venue is, but the city of Greensboro?”

During the event the audience viewed a video highlighting the immense success of the Tanger Center in the mere three years it has been open.

In its inaugural season in 2021, the Tanger Center served 415,421 guests, had 17,414 Broadway season seat members, hosted 203 events and performances and had 88 sold-out shows.

In its most recent season, the Tanger stage was touched by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the cast of Disney’s “Aladdin,” actors Steve Martin and Martin Short and more.

The Tanger Center also recently celebrated its 1 millionth guest.

When retiring managing director Matt Brown stood at the podium, he explained an itinerary of upcoming renovations for the venue.

First, the carpet will be replaced due to the high amount of foot traffic the center has seen in the last few years. He emphasized this would not interrupt the schedule of shows.

The Founder’s Room, Donor’s Room and President’s Club will be relocated to an area closer to seating and with double the number of restrooms. These guests will be able to use a new entrance separate from the general public.

A third elevator is in the works for production crews. This will minimize traffic and wear and tear from equipment to guest elevators.

“We’re working on that design that will allow us to bump out the East Gallery by 19 feet, creating more space and allowing for two levels to be built above that,” Brown said.

This development will leave space for eight new women’s restrooms on the second grand-tier lobby.

“I see it, I count ’em. I count by an average there’s eight people lined up up there,” he said, emphasizing the demand for this renovation.

A new kitchen on the third level will be closer to the Brady Suite, Koury Family Room and Wrangler-Lee Lounge.

Finally, a canopy cover will be installed over the box office entrance, shielding guests from rain and other inclement weather.

“These are the types of improvements we’re planning for and preparing and identifying the potential funding sources that could be used just to give you a sense of convenience and comfort that your staff is working to maintain this great asset forever and ever, and we’re going to constantly try and maintain it and improve it and keep it going,” Brown said.

Vaughan, U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning (D-Greensboro) and others believe the Tanger Center would not have succeeded without the direction of Brown. Manning said he is “pragmatic, and he always wants to do what is best for our community. Always.”

Because of this, she had a sweet surprise for Brown at the end of the conference.

“I had an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in your honor to acknowledge your leadership, your vision, your hard work and your remarkable dedication to your community,” Manning told Brown.

“We are all better for knowing you,” she said.