Wang Theatre facts for kids
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| Former names | Metropolitan Theatre (1925–1962) Music Hall (1962–1980) |
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| Address | 270 Tremont St. |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Public transit | Tufts Medical Center (Orange Line) Boylston (Green Line) |
| Owner | Boch Center |
| Operator | Boch Center Madison Square Garden Company (co-booking) |
| Type | Theatre |
| Capacity | 3,500 |
| Opened | 1925 |
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Metropolitan Theatre
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 Location in Boston
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Blackall, Clapp & Whittemore; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| MPS | Boston Theatre MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000445 |
| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1980 |
The Wang Theatre is a famous theatre located in Boston, Massachusetts. It first opened its doors in 1925. Back then, it was known as the Metropolitan Theatre. Later, it changed its name to the Music Hall.
This beautiful building was designed by a well-known architect named Clarence Blackall. You can find it at 252–272 Tremont Street in Boston's busy Boston Theatre District. Today, the theatre is managed by the Boch Center. In 1990, it was officially recognized as a special Boston Landmark.
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A Grand Theatre in Boston
The Wang Theatre is a very large and impressive building. When it first opened in 1925, it was called the Metropolitan Theatre. It was built thanks to Max Shoolman. Architect Clarence Blackall designed it. He got help from another theatre architect, C. Howard Crane.
This theatre is huge! It can seat more than 3,600 people. Imagine how many people can watch a show there at once.
From Metropolitan to Music Hall
In 1962, the theatre got a new purpose and a new name. It became the main home for the Boston Ballet. Because of this, it was renamed the Music Hall.
During the 1960s and 1970s, many amazing performances took place here. Audiences could enjoy world-famous groups. These included the Stuttgart Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. They also saw incredible ballet companies. The Bolshoi Ballet and Kirov Ballet performed on its stage. Besides these, popular movies and other artists were shown.
Over time, the theatre faced some challenges. Its stage size and old equipment made it hard to attract big touring shows. In 1980, it became a non-profit center. It was briefly called the Metropolitan Center. This change helped it bring back theatrical performances.
The Music Hall Years
One famous event from the Music Hall era was a concert by Bob Marley and the Wailers. They performed there in 1978. Years later, in 2015, this concert was released as an album. It was called Easy Skanking in Boston '78. This release celebrated Bob Marley's 70th birthday.
Becoming the Wang Theatre
The theatre got its current name in 1983. This happened because Dr. An Wang made a very generous donation. After his gift, the theatre became known as the Wang Center.
Restoring the Theatre's Beauty
From 1989 to 1992, a lot of money was raised. About $9.8 million was collected. This money was used to restore the theatre. The goal was to make it look as grand as it did in the 1920s. A Boston architecture company, Finegold Alexander & Associates, led the restoration. Conrad Schmitt Studios did the beautiful decorations. They added gilded moldings, murals, and marble-like surfaces.
In 2008, the theatre made a deal with The Madison Square Garden Company. They agreed to work together to book shows. This helps bring even more great performances to the Wang Theatre.
A Star on the Big Screen
The theatre's stunning lobby has even appeared in movies! It was used in the film American Hustle. You can see it in the scenes with the live band and the casino. The lobby also appeared in The Witches of Eastwick. It was part of the house where Jack Nicholson's character lived. Plus, it was used for many scenes in a TV pilot called Gilded Lilys.
