NEWS RELEASE -- The SMG-Managed Saenger Theatre has ranked No. 1 for the year in the state of Florida by industry publicationVenues Today.

The award encompasses the period of April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 based on gross box office sales for venues 2,000 seats and under.

“Our staff and volunteers at the Saenger Theatre are proud to serve such a great community and look forward to continue bringing quality entertainment to Pensacola,” said Doug Lee, general manager of the Saenger Theatre.

Other facilities on the list are:  No. 2, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater; No. 3, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers; No. 4 Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale; and No. 5, The Plaza Live, Orlando.

The Saenger shined above other cities with more than double the gross box office sales ($2.5 million) of No. 2 runner up, Capitol Theatre in Clearwater ($1.2 million).

“The Saenger Theatre is a great asset to the quality of life for the Pensacola community,” said Mayor Ashton Hayward. “We are very proud of the professionalism of the SMG staff and their ability to continue to keep the City-owned Saenger as an economic development engine for the City of Pensacola.”

To see what the Saenger has in store, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or like them on  Facebook at www.facebook.com/saengertheatre.

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