Count Basie Theatre is gearing up to add major upgrades to its existing facilities, and a second venue by 2020

by Jessica Jones-Gorman

For almost a century, Red Bank’s historic Count Basie Theatre has served the community with a diversity of shows and educational programming. Now, the nonprofit organization is unveiling a vision for its future.

“This is an amazing and exhilarating time for Count Basie and the people of New Jersey who have supported this theatre for so long,” noted Adam Philipson, Basie’s president and CEO. “This will be a conservative project—we won’t spend money until it has been raised—but we’re optimistic that we can raise the funds and have shovels in the ground within three to four years.”

Plans include a new, glass-walled lobby, a modern upgrade for the theatre’s backstage area, a second, multi-use venue for up-and-coming artists, and new space for area arts nonprofits, partner programs, and the theatre’s ever growing Performing Arts Academy.

“Nothing of the historic Basie will be touched; this is a national historic landmark and we are preserving the integrity of the building,” Philipson said. “Unfortunately the back part of the theater—the stage’s rigging equipment—hasn’t been touched since 1926, so we will fully upgrade the back-of-house, and the lobby and new bathrooms will be an addition, preserving the history that is already there.”

The project, which is currently in the fundraising phase, will make use of land the theatre has acquired over the years east and west of the venue, enabling a longtime vision of an entire city block dedicated to the performing arts.

Entertainers Maureen and Steven Van Zandt, both of whom have performed at the theatre throughout their careers, have joined on as honorary co-chairs.

“The Count Basie Theatre’s expansion into a true, regional center for the performing arts will be an example for other communities to follow, nationwide and worldwide,” Steven Van Zandt said. “Maureen and I are dedicated to doing everything possible to support it.”

Fundraising for the $20 million project is underway, with several major donations (including a $1 million gift from Rumson’s Mulheren family) already committed.

“What’s great about the Basie is that we have both a wonderful celebrity and community presence here,” Philipson said. “A lot of musicians have performed here and a lot of up-and-coming entertainers got their introduction to the business in our educational venue, so there is loyalty to the Basie on so many levels. So many different community members have pledged their support.”

In addition to updating its technology and adding an additional lobby and bank of restrooms, plans also call for modernization of the theatre’s plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as the installation of energy-efficient fixtures and systems.

A hydraulic orchestra pit will also be constructed, along with dressing and gathering areas for artists and performers as well as a second, multi-purpose performance space to be used as an educational facility, and finally a smaller, cabaret-style venue that can be used as a standing room facility for up to 550 people.

“A venue of this size is rare in our region,” Philipson added. “The scope of programming the Basie offers allows us to foster artist development, and we’re doing that now on our main stage… sometimes at the cost of hosting a more established act. An additional performance space allows us the best of both worlds.”

Four new classrooms will also be added to the second venue to accommodate the Count Basie Theatre’s expanding Performing Arts Academy, as well as space for partner programs and area arts nonprofits. There will also be the addition of reception and entertaining areas, including concepts for both an outdoor plaza and rooftop terrace—each improvement adding to a regional economic impact that has the potential of rising to $30 million upon completion.

“We will only continue to be on the leading edge of growth and development in both Red Bank and its surrounding areas,” Philipson said, adding that the theatre’s programming (not just concerts, but culinary events, student film festivals, lectures, educational programs, and outreach projects) has been a strategic part of the venue’s vision for its future.

“Several years ago we made a decision to become a regional center for the performing arts, knowing that when the time was right, we could build a campus to contain that energy,” noted Tom Widener, chairman of the theatre’s board of directors and trustees. “That time is now.”

Count Basie Theatre
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank / 732.224.8778 / countbasietheatre.org