The Mahaffey Theater is a historic performing arts venue in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, hosting Broadway shows, concerts, and comedy performances in a 1,900-seat auditorium originally built in 1925.
The theater opened as the St. Petersburg Municipal Auditorium, designed by Tampa architect W. J. Edwards in Mediterranean Revival style. It was renamed in 1976 after local businessman and arts patron Ray E. Mahaffey. The venue closed in 1986 but reopened in 2005 after a $28 million renovation that preserved original elements like the terrazzo floors and chandeliers while adding modern acoustics and seating.
| Space | Seats | Primary Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Mahaffey Theater | 1,900 | Broadway tours, concerts, comedy |
| Bayfront Stage | 1,500 | Outdoor performances |
| Studio 113 | 150 | Intimate performances, workshops |
The Mahaffey presents the annual Broadway in St. Petersburg series, which brought productions like Hamilton and Les Misérables to the area. The venue also hosts the St. Petersburg Opera Company and Florida Orchestra performances. During winter, the adjacent Bayfront Park becomes an outdoor concert venue for artists like Dave Matthews Band and Zac Brown Band.
One unique feature is the "Mahaffey Matinee" series, offering discounted weekday performances for local residents. I attended a matinee of Jersey Boys in 2019 and appreciated both the show quality and the theater's restored interior details visible from my orchestra seat.
The theater provides wheelchair-accessible seating, assistive listening devices, and Braille programs. Its downtown location near the Dali Museum and other attractions makes it a popular destination for tourists. The venue's box office sells tickets for all Mahaffey events plus select shows at other local theaters.
According to the City of St. Petersburg's 2023 report, the Mahaffey generates over $15 million annually in economic impact through tourism and local business patronage. This figure includes spending at nearby restaurants and hotels by theater patrons.