Youkey Theatre - Lakeland Center Seating chart

Youkey Theatre is Lakeland Center’s magnificent centerpiece located in Lakeland, Florida. With a seating capacity of more than twenty-two thousand, it perfectly befits the hosting of plays, concerts and dance events. It is home to the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, and the Broadway and Entertainment Series held annually at Lakeland Center. The theatre takes its name from former Lakeland City Manager, Robert Youkey, who envisioned the Lakeland Center to serve the community. Today, the Youkey Theatre – Lakeland Center hosts performances by the likes of artists such as Bill Cosby, Celtic Woman and Merle Haggard, among numerous others. Youkey Theatre – Lakeland Center tickets make quite a treat among Lakeland’s theatre-goers that enjoy a variety of shows.

Lakeland Center is a frequently visited convention and entertainment destination for many in Central Florida. The facility offers a wide range of concerts, performing arts and sporting events. It opened in 1974 as Lakeland Civic Center and changed to its current name in 1994. Covering an area of more than a hundred thousand square feet, the complex stands as Florida’s only multipurpose facility that houses four different venues under the same roof. These include the Conference Center, Exhibit Hall, George Jenkins Arena and the Youkey Theatre. The Center provides for groups, conventions and entertainment of all sizes. For the convenience of its visitors, the facility offers an extensive parking space for more than twenty-five hundred.

The Center has hosted several prominent musical acts including U2 that rehearsed and opened their 1992 Zoo TV tour there. The Grateful Dead famously played their memorable 1977 show there, the recordings of which comprise most of their archival album titled Dick’s Picks. The Rolling Stones played their Rolling Stone Revue Tour and US Tour there in 1976 and 1978, respectively. The Center is also famous as the venue where Ace Frehley, the guitarist of KISS, was almost electrocuted during a concert performance in December 1976.

Among musical acts frequenting the Youkey Theatre – Lakeland Center is the well-known Lakeland Concert Band that performs most of its shows there. These performances include a wide range of genres including marches, classical, jazz, pop, and Broadway hits. Their concerts typically feature a mix of songs. For instance they may begin with Bolero by Maurice Rice only to end with Jackson’s Thriller. The band has been performing at the Youkey Theatre since the seventies, entertaining a diverse fan base with its combination of nontraditional and traditional music selections.

Upcoming shows at the Theatre include a variety of performances including standup comedy, country and rock concerts, among others. Central Florida’s laughter lovers will be thrilled to know that America’s leading comedians, Bill Cosby, Ron White, Jerry Lewis and Drew Carey are bringing their humor to the Theatre. Also appearing at Youkey’s stage are country singers Clint Black and Merle Haggard, both of whom have promised to give individual performances there. Moreover, the Masters of Illusion show is soon to be hosted there, featuring its jaw-dropping tricks. Youkey Theatre – Lakeland Center tickets are simply not to be missed.