Singin’ high praises: Latest ASU Gammage season brings in nearly $90M to Valley

PHOENIX — The 2014-2015 season at ASU Gammage brought in $89 million worth of revenue to the Valley, according to a press release from Monday.

The season, which ended on Sunday with its fourth, six-week run of the Broadway play “Wicked,” brought in approximately 300,000 visitors to the Tempe auditorium.

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, executive director for ASU Gammage and associate vice president of cultural affairs for ASU, said hosting high-caliber shows such as “Wicked” during the venue’s 50th Anniversary season kept drawing visitors back time and time again.

“Patrons were again in awe of the incredible quality and amazing cast of ‘Wicked,'” she said in a recent press release. “This incredible 50^th Anniversary season, including ‘Wicked’s’ blockbuster run, brought huge economic impact for our local businesses. During the summer months, this boost is much needed and is important to the business vitality of the region.”

Although most of the 300,000 visitors were from the area, some even traveled from Mexico to see the highly-anticipated play.

By consistently delivering high-quality and entertaining shows, President and CEO of Tempe Tourism Office Stephanie Nowack said the contribution ASU Gammage makes to Tempe is indispensable.

“(ASU Gammage’s) commitment to bringing these types of high-quality productions not only helps Tempe shine but is also a boost for local business such as hotels, restaurants, salons and retailers,” she said in the press release. “It’s a win-win for all of us.”

ASU Gammage’s 2015-2016 Broadway season will begin on Oct. 20 with the production of “The Book of Mormon.”

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