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The Wang Theatre History
The performing arts have enjoyed a rich and distinguished history in Boston, reaching back nearly 200 years. Since 1794 when Charles Bulfinch designed Boston's first playhouse, many theaters, concert halls and movie palaces have been built to entertain Boston's large and appreciative audiences. Although many of these structures no longer exist, The Metropolitan Theatre, renamed The Wang Theatre in 1983, remains a prominent landmark.
Opened in 1925, "The Met," as it was called, was developed by Max Shoolman and designed by Clarence Blackall, a leading American theater architect. Blackall also designed 12 other major Boston theaters, among them the Colonial and Wilbur, as well as the Copley Plaza Hotel. At that time, The Metropolitan was hailed as a magnificent movie "cathedral," reminiscent of the splendor of a Louis XIV palace and was considered historically the most important Boston landmark of "the Roaring Twenties." Rivaled by few other theaters in the world, its glittering crystal chandeliers and imposing columns and doorways of imported marble formed an elegant setting for thousands of patrons who came to be entertained by motion pictures, big bands and vaudeville.
Renamed The Music Hall in 1962, the theatre became home to the newly-formed Boston Ballet. During the 60s and 70s, Music Hall audiences also enjoyed the Stuttgart Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Bolshoi Ballet and Kirov Ballet as well as popular movies and performing artists. However, as years passed, the Theatre's splendor started to dim. Its once grand stage was viewed as too shallow and its production facilities too outmoded to accommodate large touring shows. Consequently, Boston's prominence as a major venue diminished and it was bypassed by many touring companies.
Since its restoration, The Wang Theatre has hosted an impressive array of world-class theater, music, dance and film. In the past few years alone, the Center broke box office records with musicals such as Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera and has hosted productions such as Riverdance-The Show, Jekyll & Hyde, Sunset Boulevard, American Ballet Theatre, Whitney Houston and Harry Connick Jr. The Wang Theatre is one of only a handful of theaters around the world capable of accommodating the national touring company of the smash hit musical Miss Saigon and the many technical and special effects that the production requires.
For many years, with help from special celebrity guests The Center presented its Classic Film Series, returning to the roots of the Theatre with classic films such as Casablanca, All About Eve and An American in Paris shown on one of New England's largest screens. The Wang Theatre has also been represented on the small screen with the nationally-televised game shows "The Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy."
In 1994, with sustained financial stability and a fully retired debt, The Center had achieved its original goals. Encouraged by the Center's successes and inspired by its broadening mission to bring the arts to everyone, the Board of Trustees directed the staff to begin a multi-year investigation into the possible production of original, innovative programming and the acquisition of additional stages.
The Center launched its new direction by expanding its community outreach efforts and initiating exciting new programs. In 1994, the Center expanded its ethnic programming to include community gospel events and multicultural showcases. In 1996, The Center announced its plan to operate and manage The Shubert Theatre as a home of many local not-for-profit performing arts organizations. Since then, The Center has given millions of dollars in grants as well as reduced-rent rehearsal and performance space to organizations including Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera and World Music.
The Center also ventured into new areas of programming, including the family shows Arthur's Live Adventure and Blues Clues Live!, as well as non-traditional theatrical events such as Burn the Floor and the North American premiere of Blast! These efforts helped The Center introduce live theater to an entirely new audience while expanding the cultural experience of current patrons. In 2006, the Center announced a long-term partnership with Citigroup to further promote the vision and programming of Boston's pre-eminent performing arts center. The landmark alliance was heralded by the new name of Citi Performing Arts Center which continues to manage both the Wang Theatre and the Shubert Theatre.
Over the years, millions have looked up in awe at the elegance of the Grand Lobby, or in wonder at the theatrical feats onstage. Just as the city and audience have evolved with the times, the Theatre has changed to meet the needs of its community. The Citi Performing Arts Center is known throughout New England as a true community arts center whose doors are open to all. With the belief that arts make and keep us a civilized nation, The Center proudly looks forward to a bright future with the mission of presenting the finest performing artists and cultural attractions from around the world.
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