ROYAL OAK, MI (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — AEG Live has finalized an agreement to take over booking and operations of The Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, a Detroit, MI suburb. The long-term deal is in partnership with the theatre’s current owner and operator, Greg Young, formerly an Olympia Entertainment executive producer.
The 1,700-capacity, multi-use facility helped launch the careers of up-and-coming artists such as Prince, U2, and AC/DC in the 1980’s. More recently, it has been the venue of choice for The White Stripes, Eminem and Duran Duran.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our growing presence in the Detroit market,” said Joe Litvag, VP of AEG Live’s Midwest region. “The Royal Oak Music Theatre provides us the ability to be more of a full-service producer of live entertainment while continuing to focus on our plan of offering more intimate and unique settings to see a show.”
“Part of our long-term vision for this facility encompasses some special improvements to create an experience unlike any other venues in Detroit,” Litvag continued. “We’re looking forward to working closely with Greg Young and his team to make that vision a reality and to give the patrons and the artists a fresh alternative to the other venues in town."
“The Royal Oak Music Theatre has been a passion of mine, to restore and operate it as an ongoing commitment to the cultural revitalization happening in the City of Royal Oak,” said Young. “But I realized that in order to take the next step as an independent operator, I needed to strike a deal with one of the largest national entertainment companies, giving me the leverage I need to continue what I’ve started here.
“AEG LIVE shares this same commitment to providing the community with the highest quality of entertainment in this incredible setting,” Young continued. “I’m thrilled to be moving forward with them.” — Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
