  December 2008 
|
The Wang Theatre History  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.
In 1980, the Theatre converted to a not-for-profit organization known as The Metropolitan Center and renovations to the stage and backstage attracted Broadway Š Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury, Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan and My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison. An extraordinary gift in 1983 from Dr. An Wang, founder of Wang Laboratories, ushered in the era of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. WangÕs gesture invigorated BostonÕs cultural community and drew the help of corporations and individuals dedicated to preserving the Theatre. In the late 80s, pure chutzpah and ambition raised $9.8 million to return the Theatre to its glory days of the 1920s.
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.
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.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
