Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre has announced Crystal Longo as general manager for the 93-year-old building. Longo first served as deputy general manager for the theater in January 2020 before leaving due to the pandemic. Upon her return, Longo was asked to helm the venue that underwent a $95 million renovation between 2010 and 2015.
Longo started her career in live music as a bartender at New York’s iconic Webster Hall while in college. The New York native then made her way to Hammerstein Ballroom where she worked her way up from operations and concessions to booking and venue management before joining The Bowery Presents as director of operations. While with Bowery, Longo led the team at Times Square’s PlayStation Theater and worked on the renovation and reopening of Webster Hall in April 2019.
As the live music industry began its return following mass shut downs in 2020, Longo returned to live music by spearheading the annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival in Prospect Park. She booked a raft of sold-out shows that featured the likes of D’Nice’s Club Quarantine, Nigerian singer-songwriter Wizkid, and the Celebrate Biggie concert with Lil’ Kim, Busta Rhymes, and The Lox. She then served as a consultant for the opening and launch of Brooklyn’s newest music venue Bushwick’s Brooklyn Made founded by former Live Nation New York president Anthony Makes.
Longo made her way back to Kings Theatre with an emphasis on helping the Flatbush community. “Kings Theatre is located in an under-served area, so we have a lot of work to do.” says Longo. “I’m not looking to simply generate revenue for the company. It’s also about providing opportunity and engaging with the people and businesses who make Flatbush the robust community that it is today.”
Longo is working to provide professional development opportunities to staff, make tickets more affordable to people in the neighborhood, launch a high-school internship program, and partner with local nonprofits on a series of free, community-based events.
As the new GM, Longo is also starting a new VIP program which will see three vacant rooms “that no-one knows about” reimagined into speakeasies with private facilities and bars that concertgoers can access with an upgraded ticket package. She has also been working with the female-owned Brooklyn brewery and distillery Interboro to create custom Kings Theatre beverage options.
“Crystal’s industry knowledge and drive, are well-suited to take the Kings to its next chapter coming out of the pandemic, strengthening its position as the premiere venue in Brooklyn, and deepening its connection with the community,” says Ambassador Theatre Group CEO Stephen Lewin. “Welcome back, Crystal!”
The 3,676-seat theatre was renovated by ACE Theatrical Group after being shuttered for more than three decades. ACE Theatrical Group was acquired by Ambassador Theatre Group in 2015, shortly after Diana Ross reopened the venue in February. In 2012, the venue located in the Flatbush neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.