Ron Legler, President - Hippodrome Theatre
May 10, 2023
On this week's episode, Francesca checks in with Ron Legler, President of the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore! The Hippodrome brings Broadway to Baltimore and so much more! Ron elaborates on the Hippodrome's upcoming season, the $20 million dollar project they're working on, his love for Baltimore, the experience of having Chris Rock film his Netflix comedy special at the theater and so much more!
Ron Legler just celebrated his 9th year as President of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, home of the iconic Hippodrome Theatre in Downtown Baltimore. Ron is on the board of Baltimore’s Downtown Partnership and the Bromo-Seltzer Arts District.
In 2022, Ron helped develop and pass a bill creating Maryland’s first Theatrical Tax Credit that will allow Broadway shows the ability to develop, rehearse, build, & launch their pre-broadway show or pre-touring Broadway show activities in Maryland, saving producers up to $2M per production. THE WIZ will launch from Baltimore this fall for a national tour before it lands on Broadway in 2024.
Ron lead his team through NETFLIX’s first worldwide live-stream event in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre with CHRIS ROCK’S SELECTIVE OUTRAGE in March of 2023. The event was broadcast live in 90 countries for 250 million subscribers. The event became #1 on NETFLIX, putting Baltimore on an international stage and highlighting The Hippodrome Theatre to the world.
In 2019, Ron was named one of The Daily Record’s Most Admired CEOs and received an executive citation of excellence in Performing Arts Center Management by Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz in 2015.
Ron moved from Orlando Florida where he served as President of the Florida Theatrical Association which presents Broadway touring shows in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. Under his leadership, Florida Theatrical built and opened two venues in the heart of downtown, The Abbey & The Mezz. Ron also served as President of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District, Vice President of the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Of his many accolades, Ron was given a Key to the City of Orlando by Mayor Buddy Dyer and was recognized as Orlando Business Journal’s Most Influential Businessman (Non-Profit) and the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s Downtowner of the Year. Ron was the co-founder of PULSE nightclub. Ron was also awarded Distinguished Alumnus by his alma mater Thiel College in Greenville Pennsylvania.
Ron Lives in Canton with his partner Andrew and enjoys boating, and spending time on his rooftop deck with his two Shih Tzu’s Buddy & Tilly.