Wang Theatre

Wang Theatre

Former names	Metropolitan Theatre (1925–1962) Music Hall (1962–1980)
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
Website
bochcenter.org
Metropolitan Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Coordinates	42°21′1″N71°3′53″W
Built	1923
Architect	Blackall, Clapp & Whittemore; Multiple
Architectural style	Renaissance
MPS	Boston Theatre MRA
NRHP referenceNo.	80000445
Added to NRHP	December 9, 1980

TheWang Theatreis atheatreinBoston.It originally opened in 1925 as theMetropolitan Theatreand was later renamed theMusic Hall.It was designed byClarence Blackalland is located at 252–272Tremont Streetin theBoston Theatre District.The theatre is operated as part of theBoch Center.The theatre was designated as aBoston Landmarkby theBoston Landmarks Commissionin 1990.

Metropolitan Theatre

The structure was originally known as theMetropolitan Theatrewhen it opened in 1925.The Metropolitan Theatre was developed by Max Shoolman and designed byarchitectClarence Blackall,with the assistance of Detroit theatre architectC. Howard Crane.It seats more than 3,600 people.

Music Hall

In 1962 it became the home of the Boston Ballet and was renamed theMusic Hall.During the 1960s and 1970s, audiences could see theStuttgart Opera,theMetropolitan Opera,Bolshoi BalletandKirov Balletas well as popular movies and performing artists. With time though, they could no longer attract the large touring companies because of the size of their stage as well as their outdated production facilities. Converted to a non-profit center in 1980 and renamed theMetropolitan Center,they were able to attract theatrical performances again.

Bob Marley and the Wailers' 1978 concert at the Music Hall was released in 2015 in honor of Bob Marley's 70th birthday asEasy Skanking in Boston '78.

Wang Center

Plaque adorning the front of Wang Theatre

In 1983, Dr.An Wangmade a very large donation and the Wang Center was born.From 1989–1992, $9.8 million was raised to restore the Theatre to "its glory days of the 1920s".Boston based architecture firmFinegold Alexander & Associatesrestored the theatre withConrad Schmitt Studiosperforming the elegant decoration, gilded moldings, murals, scagliola and marbleized surfaces.

In 2008, the Citi Performing Arts Center announced a co-booking arrangement withThe Madison Square Garden Companyfor the Wang Theatre.

The lobby was used in the moviesAmerican Hustle,for the live band performance and casino scenes, andThe Witches of Eastwick,as part of the house in whichJack Nicholson's character lived. It was also used for numerous scenes in the ABC TV pilotGilded Lilys.

Lobby Interior

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in northern Boston, Massachusetts

External links

• City of Boston,Landmarks Commission.The Wang Center Study Report,1990