St. Petersburg, Fla. – (March 12, 2018)- The Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater proudly announced today that Showtime Australia’s acclaimed music production The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show starring Belinda Davids will be in St. Petersburg, FL, for one night on July 14, 2018 at 8:00 pm.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 16 at 10 am. Tickets may be purchased online at TheMahaffey.com, charged by phone at (727) 893-7832, or in person at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater Box Office. Ticket prices are: $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, and $32.50.
The tour announcement comes hot on the heels of star Belinda Davids’ lauded performance on Fox TV’s Showtime at the Apollo Christmas Special in December 2017, where her spine-tingling rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’ – on the very stage where Whitney Houston filmed her famous Greatest Love of All film clip, no less – earned her not only the awe of host Steve Harvey and an enthusiastic ovation from the live audience, but over 10 million views of the performance video on Facebook in the days following.
Though this is Davids’ first major US tour as the principal of The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show, she’s no stranger to US audiences, having toured extensively as a backing vocalist for the likes of Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole and Monica in earlier years.
Davids says of her return to the US,
“This is the birthplace of Whitney – her home and her essence and the place and experiences that made her the incredible person and artist that she was. I know Americans hold her memory dear, and I’m first and foremost a Whitney fan myself, so I cannot wait to be surrounded by others who treasure her just as much as I do. Every audience, every fan that I perform to is special, but I know that this tour will be particularly special.”
Audiences across Europe, the UK, Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Davids’ home country of South Africa have already been wowed by the production, which has been touring since 2013.
A five-piece band, backing vocalist and choreographed dancers will accompany Davids on stage as she pays tribute to Houston with live performances of I Wanna Dance With Somebody, How Will I Know, I Have Nothing, Didn’t We Almost Have it All, One Moment in Time, Queen of the Night and 15 other chart-topping hits.
Showtime Australia’s international production house, lead by respected long-time father and son team Johnny and Jono Van Grinsven, in the roles of Producer and Technical Director respectively, has put together custom-designed lighting, theatrical effects, and more than 20 different hand-crafted costumes to complete the sensory spectacle and keep audiences enthralled through the course of the two-hour show.
“Vocal power, precision and an exceptional range that are a perfect match for Whitney’s power ballads.”
-Herald Sun, 2018
“Effortlessly slick, superbly performed and truly professional… five stars.”
-The Sussex Newspaper, 2018
“The type of vocal ability that puts Mariah Carey to shame… her voice will have you in tears.”
-Independent Online, 2017
“Davids is mind-blowingly spot on as Whitney Houston.”
-Rave Review, 2015
The Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater
The Mahaffey Theater, under the management of Big3 Entertainment, is one of Tampa Bay’s top-rated performing arts venues. Home to the Florida Orchestra, The Mahaffey hosts top-quality national and international artists and performances – Broadway, pop, rock, comedy, dance, classical and interactive engagements and exhibitions.
Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the 2,031-seat cultural jewel boasts spectacular waterfront views and is located only minutes away from white sandy beaches and world-renowned museums. Additionally, the theater supports the highly successful Class Acts program, which enables school children to experience the performing arts through in-theater performances as well as in-school outreach and extension programs.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts
Founded as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2009, the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is dedicated to the success and future of The Mahaffey Theater and to the notion that through diverse programing and patron membership support, performing arts should be enjoyed by all of St. Petersburg’s citizens. It’s your theater!
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is committed to supporting and presenting all genres of the performing arts at The Mahaffey Theater, funding arts education for school children through the Class Acts performance series and providing its member patrons with unequaled services, entertainment and cultural experiences.