The new $172 million New Brunswick Performing Arts Center has had a successful debut, especially if you are measuring by ticket sales.

The first three performances of the Crossroads Theatre Company’s production of “Paul Robeson” were sold out, according to spokesperson Mona Terrell.

“We are very pleased at the ticket sales,” Terrell said. “We sold a lot of tickets at the ribbon-cutting ceremony (on Thursday). We are off to a great start.”

Nathanial Stampley, who has has a vast array of theater credits on Broadway (Mufassa in “The Lion King), off-Broadway and on production tours, gave a powerful performance in the lead role of “Robeson” during opening night. His bellowing voice filled the Arthur Laurents Theatre on Saturday night as he brought New Brunswick’s most revered native son to life.