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2007 Theatre Tours
*Current 7/17/07. Subject to Change *
Sponsorship Info •
PRE-CONFERENCE RAMBLE
Providence Performing Arts Center •
Garde Arts Center •
Sam S. Shubert Theatre/New Haven •
Yale Repertory Theatre •
Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Center •
Belding Theater at the Bushnell Center •
DURING THE CONFERENCE
Boston Theatre District Map •
Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College •
Wang Theatre at Citi Center •
Shubert Theatre at Citi Center •
The Music Hall •
Somerville Theatre •
Sanders Theatre •
Colonial Theatre •
Charles Playhouse •
The Opera House •
Jordan Hall •
Boston University Theatre •
Boston Symphony Hall •
 POST-CONFERENCE PERFORMANCE RAMBLE
Ted ShawnTheatre at Jacobs Pillow •
Doris Duke Studio Theatre at Jacobs Pillow •
Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood •
Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood •
About the Descriptions •
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Providence Performing Arts Center (Loew's State, Palace, Ocean State)
RAMBLE - Tuesday July 24, 2007
"Programming a Palace for Community Good"
October 26, 1928. Renov. 1995, continuing.
Rapp & Rapp Architects
3,090 seats.
Marcus Loew's flagship atmospheric theatre in New England, its brick and terra cotta façade leads to a long mirrored arcade opening into a two story grand Renaissance lobby. The capacious auditorium is fully decorated or damasked. Designed for vaudeville but thriving on a talkie diet, the stage was seldom used until its decline in 1972, when subsequent owners failed to break even as a concert venue. Facing the wrecking ball, it was rescued as a not-for-profit community arts center in 1978. Although initially it struggled, it has succeeded by serving a broad range of communities with programs targeted to many different tastes. Thanks to PPAC-RI.
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Garde Arts Center, New London, CT
RAMBLE - Tuesday July 24, 2007
"Competing with the Casinos"
September 22, 1926. Renov. 1999.
Arland Johnson and Arthur Friend. Restored by Hannivan and Company.
1,488 seats.
Magnificent Moorish atmospheric in an industrial community blessed with casinos as a destination, Garde is both an architectural joy and an exceptional example of urban redevelopment driven by a historic theatre. The arts center currently includes several adjacent buildings and has viable plans for additional theatres and other assembly spaces, despite a generally hostile environment and overwhelming competition. Thanks to Garde Arts Center.
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Sam S. Shubert Theatre, New Haven, CT
RAMBLE - Tuesday July 24, 2007
"Tryouts"
September 11, 1914. Renov. 1983.
Albert Swazey. Restoration Robert Wendler.
1,800 seats.
This is one of the remaining "Sam memorial" theatres the Shubert Brothers built c. 1910-15. It was one of the primary pre-Broadway tryout theatres through the heyday of tryouts. It continues to serve that function today, as well as offering a range of excellent community education programs and serving resident groups. The Shubert struggled for decades before contracting with Columbus Association for the Performing Arts that programs and operates it today. It is the only small-market venue in the region successfully operated by a multi-city management.
Thanks to Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.
Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, CT
RAMBLE - Tuesday July 24, 2007
"Adaptive Reuse: Church to Resident Theatre"
Built as a church, adapted 1966 for current use.
Yale Rep was founded in 1966 by Robert Brustein, and served the production needs of a resident company of artists throughout his tenure. For many years Brustein's dream of a permanent repertory company became an inspiration to the emerging field of nonprofit theatre. The model of Brustein's programming choices, emphasizing the production of new plays and classics of the world theatre in vivid and inventive interpretations, has remained the centerpiece of the work of Yale Repertory Theatre ever since. Thanks to Yale School of Drama.
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The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT
(Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall)
Mortensen Hall and Belding Theater
RAMBLE - Tuesday July 24, 2007
"Building a Cultural Infrastructure for the Capitol Region"
October 13, 1930. Restored with additions 2001-4.
Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray. Restoration by Wilson Butler Architects.
2,800 seats in Mortensen Hall, 907 in Belding Hall.
Built for the purpose of bettering the Hartford community as a monument to Rev. Horace Bushnell by his daughter, the Center was expanded in 2001 to better serve its broad mission with a proscenium theatre and support spaces, then the main auditorium was restored with only minor interruptions in service. The Georgian Revival exterior is in vivid contrast to the richly decorated Art Deco concert hall interior. The Bushnell is proud to be an organizing and leading force for the diverse, artistically rich greater Hartford region. Thanks to The Bushnell.
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Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, (Majestic, Shubert Majestic, Saxon, Emerson Majestic)
Wednesday July 25, 2007, 3:00 PM
"Partnerships that Revitalized the Midtown Cultural District"
February 14, 1903. Restored 2003.
John Galen Howard. Restoration by Elkus-Manfredi Architects.
1,186 seats.
Redevelopment and Architectural: led revitalization of historic theatre district. Best US example of Beaux Arts esthetic applied to 19th-century European opera house. Built as high society venue for opera. First cantilevered balconies, street-direct fire exits. Operated by Wilbur & Stair, then Shubert Organization, then Sack Cinemas, until 1983 when sold to Emerson College. Serves resident ensembles, tours, Emerson College functions (10 weeks) and many civic events. Thanks to Emerson College.
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Citi Performing Arts Center
Wang Theatre
(Metropolitan Music Hall)
Samuel S. Shubert Memorial Theatre
Wednesday July 25, 2007, 5:00 PM
Opening Reception
Wang Theatre: October 16, 1925 . Restored 1994.
Clarence Blackall, C. Howard Crane. Restoration by Finegold Alexander + Associates.
3,650 seats.
Shubert Theatre: January 24, 1910. Renov. 1996.
Thomas M. James. Renovation by Graham Gund Architects.
Architectural: New England's finest atmospheric movie theatre, it was built and wired for sound by Famous Players-Lasky (Paramount) in anticipation of talkies. Yet where the Opera House modeled 20th century theatres with a single flat balcony, the Wang is a scaled up model of the 18th century Paris Opera Comique with two balconies, mezzanine private boxes, parquet stalls, and a three-tiered grand lobby modeled after the Palace of Versailles. Today it operates as an independent 501(c)3 multi-disciplinary presenter and rental house. The corporation also leases and operates the Samuel S. Shubert Memorial Theatre across the street. Thanks to the Wang Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
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The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH (Portsmouth, Civic)
Thursday July 26, 2007, 10:30 AM
"20 Years of Love and Struggle in an Industrial Community"
January 29, 1878. Renov. 1900. Restoration planned 2007-10.
William Ashe; Frank Jones (1900.)
900 seats.
Cultural and Architectural: 19th-century Victorian American theatre without office building or other financial support structure, it has experienced stiff competition and long periods of closure and neglect. However, it's the last standing theatre of five in this seacoast community, and the oldest operating theatre in NH. It's a prime example of the New England Victorian form, the proud center of a proud 19th century community. Thanks to The Music Hall, Inc.
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The Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
Thursday July 26, 2007, 1:45 PM
"An Entertainment Center: Vaudeville, Ballroom, and Bowling to Moves and Music"
May 11, 1914. Renov. 1990 and 1996.
Funk & Wilcox. Upgrades in progress by Wilson Butler Architects.
905 seats.
Built for vaudeville as part of the Hobbs Building that also housed a dance hall, billiard room, bowling alley, shops and offices, it survived the demise of 13 other theaters in Somerville. Privately owned, it remained a single screen cinema after the other businesses closed. After its 1990 restoration as a single screen, it wasn't profitable. The owners closed it again and added four screens in the bowling alley, billiard room, and dance hall, reopening in 1996. It has been profitable ever since. In the main hall movies fill dark nights between concerts, but it remains an independent privately owned and operated venue. Thanks to FEI Theatres.
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Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA
Memorial Hall includes Sanders Theatre,
Thursday July 26, 2007, 3 PM
"Shape, Style and Purpose in America's Theatres, 1800-2007"
1875-77. Restored 1995-97.
William Robert Ware and Henry Van Brunt.
1,166 seats.
Cultural: this complex includes the Annenberg Hall undergraduate dining center, the Memorial Transept, recreational common, and Sanders Theatre. Built for commencement and all-college assemblies, it was funded through donations in memory of Harvard community involvement in the Civil War. It has memorials for soldiers on both sides. Architectural: a magnificent 19th-century wood-frame lecture and concert hall with horseshoe balcony over flat orchestra and steeply sloping parquet, generous volume is supported by innovative wooden trusses. Community: this mixed use development continues to support the social and ceremonial needs of the Harvard community. Thanks to the Office for the Arts at Harvard and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard
University.
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Colonial Theatre
Friday July 27, 2007, 2 PM
"Nuts & Bolts Session"
December 20, 1900. Restored 1995-2000.
Clarence Blackall of Blackall, Clapp and Whittemore.
1,658 seats.
Architectural: 19th-century Victorian American theatre with office building as supporting structure so that it survived hard times intact as a commercial high society theatre -- "a monument to the taste of New England" built on the site of the first public library. First a Syndicate house, then Shuberts, then Jujamcyn, then Boston-based independent acquired by SFX, Clear Channel, Live Nation -- always commercial operators. Thanks to Live Nation.
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Charles Playhouse
Friday July 27, 2007, 3:45 PM
Church, 1843. Adapted for theatre 1947
Asher Benjamin
c.400 seats
The Charles Playhouse on Warrenton Street was built as a Unitarian Church. Later it served as a restaurant, then was adapted as a theatre that housed a resident company. Currently it's a commercial venue housing a sit-down production of "Blue Man Group." Thanks to Live Nation.
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Boston Opera House (Benjamin Franklin Keith Memorial Theatre, RKO Keith's, Savoy)
Friday July 27, 2007, 6:00 PM
"Rebirth of the Boston Opera House"
October 29, 1928. Restored 2004.
Thomas Lamb. Restoration by Martinez & Johnson Architecture with Finegold Alexander + Associates.
2,500 seats.
Cultural: Boston's best example of the "adaptive reuse" evolution from vaudeville -- mixed live and silent film vernacular entertainment -- through all movies, back to live entertainment, it is also Thomas Lamb's finest French-Renaissance "palace for the common man." Built on the foundation of the Boston Theatre (1852, original front building remains in use,) it illustrates the architectural shift from a 19th century "stacked" theatre to 20th century palatial. One flat balcony replaced three wrap-arounds, with deep orchestra seating replacing a deep stage. The Boston Theatre and the Opera House illustrate the changes in show business from 1850-1950. Theatre Management Group/Clear Channel restored the auditorium and enlarged the stage house to convert for modern musicals after many years of neglect by movie operators and Sarah Caldwell's Opera Company of Boston.
The Boston was the finest theatre in New England from 1852 through 1910, but wasn't grand enough for Keith's vaudeville. Keith's partner E. F. Albee tore down the Boston and built the Opera House as the monument to big-time vaudeville, but immediately ran into financial trouble as talkies were introduced. In response, Albee merged with Orpheum to make KAO, then sold out to Joseph P. Kennedy who quickly merged KAO with RCA, then converted the Keith-Orpheum circuit to all film and renamed "RKO Keith" in 1929. Thanks to Live Nation.
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Jordan Hall at The New England Conservatory of Music
Saturday July 28, 2007, 2:15 PM
"The Case for Cultural Facilities as Economic Development Tools"
October 22, 1903. Restored 1995.
Wheelwright and Haven. Restoration by Ann Beha Associates.
1,033 seats.
Architectural: a peak example of a European Renaissance-style concert hall, its raked stage floor is built inside a concert shell with a prominent pipe organ and no scenery systems. The orchestra floor is surrounded by a semi-circular orchestra circle/parquet, with a horseshoe balcony above. It is surrounded by classrooms and has wonderful concert hall acoustics. It is the second of three opera houses built as high society institutions by dry goods merchant Eben Dyer Jordan Jr. (the first is the Majestic, the third was demolished in the 1950s by Northeastern University.) Thanks to New England Conservatory of Music.
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The Boston University Theatre (Repertory, Esquire)
Saturday July 28, 2007, 3:45 PM
"Financing Community Engagement and Education Initiatives"
November 10, 1925. Renov. 2002
J. William Beal and Son
950 seats.
Now home to the LORT Huntington Theatre Company and built by actor Henry Jewitt as the Repertory Theatre, it's one of the few pre-1960 US theatres still standing that was built to house a repertory theatre group. Even though it went through a long period of adaptive reuse and subsequent decline, it still has the original scene shop, dressing suites, ballroom, and owner's residence, as well as having expanded to include a neighboring building. Purchased and renamed in 1954 by Boston University, its primary tenant is a major producer in New England which frequently transfers product to Broadway. Boston University continues to mount productions there and uses it for instruction. Thanks to the Huntington Theatre Company.
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Boston Symphony Hall
Saturday July 28, 2007, 5:45 PM
October 15, 1900. Phased restoration in progress.
McKim, Mead and White. Restoration in progress by Ann Beha Associates.
2,625 seats.
Cultural: Built by the most Brahmin of high society on the fashionable new land to replace an earlier hall in a less fashionable area, Symphony Hall was designed in the Renaissance style but with some distinctive American features. Its shallow balconies top an orchestra that can be converted from flat floor for tables into steps for fixed seating. Its exceptional acoustic was designed by Harvard physics professor Wallace Sabine, perhaps the first theatre acoustician. Surrounded by offices, the hall is isolated from the street so unusually quiet despite having the earliest mechanical air handling systems in a pure concert hall. Air conditioning and support buildings were added in 1973. Thanks to Boston Symphony Orchestra.
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About the Descriptions
These theatre descriptions were written by a Boston volunteer, Lance Olson. He saw these facilities, did additional research, and then did his best to both be accurate and correct and explain why this particular facility was chosen for the League to tour from the enormous number of facilities in New England. Without doubt, some of his information will prove to be wrong and you may disagree with some commentary. Please accept his apology, and send him correct information or your opinion at lance_olson@emerson.edu
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