Katy Kleinginna
Special to In Motion
Jared East/In Motion
The Peabody Auditorium, located in Daytona Beach, celebrates its 65th anniversary beginning with the 2013-2014 performance season.
The season opened to a performance from famous comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White. Following White’s show, a theater troupe performed their rendition of the children’s story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Throughout the season, with dates still to be announced, musicals “50 Shades!” and “Hello Dolly” will make their way onto the Peabody stage. Kicking off the January, Gregg Allman and his accompanying band performed a homecoming show to a local crowd.
The Peabody Auditorium originally was built in 1907 after Simon Peabody moved from Indiana to spend his winters in the sunshine state. Peabody became thoroughly interested in the local arts and entertainment scene and decided to put his woodworking talents to use by constructing a large theater accessible to locals. A few years down the road, land was purchased on Auditorium Boulevard. Peabody and his construction crew purchased land for $25,000 in order to pay for construction and other fees.
The original theater was lost to fire in 1946, but several years later enough funds were raised in order to erect another building. The Peabody Auditorium has since become a center for culture for the local area by having various musicians, actors and theater groups perform countless shows. Local student Charles Strickhauser has lived in the Daytona area for 24 years and has visited the auditorium on many occasions. “It’s exciting to see the Peabody celebrate 65 years of culture and events for my family and I to attend over the years. I’ve seen performers ranging from local and international musicians to Jerry Seinfeld”, says Strickhauser.