PNC Broadway celebrating 30 years of performances in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- PNC Broadway is celebrating a 30-year partnership with PNC Bank in Louisville.

Leslie Broecker, the president of PNC Broadway in Louisville, and Kristen Byrd, regional president of PNC Financial Services, joined WDRB Mornings on Tuesday to talk about the special partnership and its impact on Louisville.

PNC Bank became the title sponsor of the "PNC Bank Broadway Series" (which has since been renamed PNC Broadway in Louisville) in 1993, the same season as the Louisville premiere of the eagerly anticipated The Phantom of the Opera.

Over the course of PNC's 30-year sponsorship, PNC Broadway in Louisville has presented more than 219 engagements, representing more than 265 weeks and 2,118 performances, grossing more than $204 million, with an estimated local economic impact of over $675 million.

To honor the partnership, a special commemorative gift will be given to people who attend the Tina Turner musical production from Nov. 28 through Dec. 3.

"This is the 30th anniversary of PNC and Broadway in Louisville, our partnership," Broecker said. "In fact, I think it speaks for itself, because everyone just says 'PNC Broadway.' But with Tina Turner, we will celebrate this anniversary. We're doing some special little magnet frames that people can take home with them. You can stuff them in every program. We've got kids coming in from across the state to see the show, not only Tina Turner but Frozen and all the shows all season long. And it's with the support of PNC that we're able to pull this off."

Byrd said PNC has enjoyed the 30-year run and is looking forward to a continued partnership.

"We are so excited," Byrd said. "Thirty years is really incredible. It's actually one of the longest-running title sponsorships in the country. And PNC is excited. It means a lot for our team and for our community. It contributes to just the rich history of arts that we have here in Louisville.

"But there's also an economic benefit that I don't think people don't talk about as much. Over the course of the 30 years, there's been over $675 million in economic development just with this one series alone. It's one of the reasons that we're also excited to have signed on for another five years."

Students from Louisville schools are able to part in the productions.

"The Louisville Theatrical Association, which is a presenter of the Broadway Series is a not-for-profit," Broecker said. "It's been around actually for 85 years, if you will. ... teachers apply for the program and we bring kids in.

"We seat them in the orchestra, because you get goosebumps up close, right? Not way up in the balcony. And if we can create that love of the arts in young kids, we create ticket-buyers, we create supporters, we create performers, we create everything. The arts are very layered. And when you have a collaborative partnership like this, it just brings out the best in a lot of kids."

PNC Broadway in Louisville’s 30th Anniversary Season includes:

Wicked (which played Sept. 24 to Oct. 8, 2023)
TINA - The Tina Turner Musical
Disney’s Frozen
Clue
SIX
Beetlejuice

The blockbuster season boasts nearly 16,000 subscribers, the second-highest number in the series' history.

Individual tickets are on sale now for TINA and Frozen. The remaining shows will go on sale at a later date. More information and tickets are available at www.BroadwayInLouisville.com.

This season also marks the 40th anniversary of presenting the Broadway series at the Kentucky Center and the 85th anniversary of the Louisville Theatrical Association.