Count Basie Center for the Arts facts for kids
Entrance to Count Basie Theatre in 2018
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| Former names | Carlton Theater (1926–71) Monmouth Arts Center (1973–84) Count Basie Theatre (1984–2018) |
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| Address | 99 Monmouth Street Red Bank, New Jersey United States |
| Owner | New Jersey State Council on the Arts |
| Capacity | 1,568 (Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | November 11, 1926 |
| Renovated |
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Carlton Theater
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| NRHP reference No. | 09001100 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 2009 |
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is a famous performing arts center in Red Bank, New Jersey. It was first called the Count Basie Theatre.
This building opened in 1926 as the Carlton Theater. Later, in 1973, it became the Monmouth Arts Center. In 1984, it was renamed the Count Basie Theatre. This was to honor the famous jazz musician and Red Bank native, William "Count" Basie.
In 2018, the venue changed its name to the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The main theater inside was renamed the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre.
The building was designed by architect William E. Lehman. It can seat 1,568 people.
Contents
History of the Center
Early Days as Carlton Theater
The Carlton Theater first opened its doors on November 11, 1926. It was part of a group of vaudeville theaters owned by Edward Franklin Albee II.
On opening night in 1926, there were vaudeville acts and a movie called The Quarterback. Almost 4,000 people came to the two shows that evening. Crowds gathered hours before the first performance. The New Jersey Register newspaper called the new theater "a marvel of beauty."
Changes in Ownership
The theater faced money problems, and fewer people were going to movies. Because of this, Edward Albee was no longer in charge. The theater chain was bought by Keith-Albee-Orpheum in 1928. Then, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr, father of John F. Kennedy, took over.
The Carlton Theater closed in 1970. Other theaters in the area had also closed. In 1973, a large donation helped the Monmouth County Arts Council save the theater. It reopened for cultural events and was renamed the Monmouth Arts Center.
Becoming the Count Basie Theatre
In 1984, the building was renamed the Count Basie Theatre. This honored William "Count" Basie, who had passed away that year. The Monmouth County Arts Council ran the theater until 1999. After that, a special non-profit group called Count Basie Theatre, Inc. took over.
On May 14, 2018, the theater changed its name again. It became the Count Basie Center for the Arts. This was part of a big expansion project. Later in 2018, Hackensack-Meridian Health bought the rights to name the main auditorium. It was then called the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre. In 2020, the Center opened a second, smaller venue called The Vogel.
Performances and Artists
Many famous musicians and performers have been on stage at the Basie Center. These include James Brown, Tony Bennett, Al Green, and Olivia Newton-John. Comedians like George Carlin and Jon Stewart have also performed there.
Bruce Springsteen has made several surprise appearances. Jon Bon Jovi has also attended and organized many charity concerts.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra often perform at the theater.
Community Programs
The Count Basie Center Performing Arts Academy offers classes for young people. These classes teach performance basics, how to audition, and professional skills. Many talented people have attended, including singer Charlie Puth and Broadway actress Jillian Mueller.
Since 2006, the Center has hosted the annual Basie Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in high school theater in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
The Building's Features
Between 1995 and 2001, the Center worked on fixing and strengthening the building. In 2004, they replaced the seats with new ones that looked like the old ones. They also added new lights and restored some plasterwork. Over $1 million has been spent on improvements.
In 2016, a large project began to expand the Center. This project added a second venue, The Vogel, and the Grunin Arts Education Building. It also made the main lobby much bigger.
The main theater has 1,008 seats on the main floor. It also has 121 box seats and 402 balcony seats. There are 12 spots for wheelchairs. The Vogel venue can hold 800 people standing.
Basie Center Cinemas
In 2020, the Center bought a movie theater. They reopened it as the Basie Center Cinemas.
The Vogel Venue
The Vogel is a new, two-story music venue built in 2020. It is part of the Basie Center and can hold 800 people standing. It is named after Anne and Sheldon Vogel, who are from the area. Sheldon Vogel used to manage money at Atlantic Records.
See also
- New Jersey music venues by capacity
