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| Address | 15 Livingston Ave New Brunswick, New Jersey United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°29′36″N74°26′41″W / 40.493341°N 74.44462°W /40.493341; -74.44462 |
| Public transit | New Brunswick station |
| Capacity | 1,800 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 26, 1921 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
| Website | |
| www | |
State Theatre New Jersey is a nonprofittheater, located inNew Brunswick, New Jersey. It has seating for 1,850 people. Designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb in 1921, it is one of the oldest theaters in the State of New Jersey.
The State Theatre was built in 1921 as Reade's State Theatre byThomas W. Lamb and managed byWalter Reade for both movies and live performances. It opened with fivevaudeville acts and a single matinee screening of the silent westernWhite Oak, starringWilliam S. Hart. Patrons, including first ticket buyer, nine-year-old Victor Levin, paid 20-30 cents per admission.[1]
The theater was placed under the management ofBenjamin Franklin Keith andEdward Franklin Albee II of B.F Keith Theatre chain, which then was the largest vaudeville theater chain in the early 1920s. After the death of Keith, Albee continued the operation and eventually merged with Orpheum, the largest western booking agency to formKeith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO).
In 1928, TheRadio Corporation of America (RCA) acquired KAO as a subsidiary and KAO changed toRadio-Keith-Orpheum; also known as RKO. Within one year, the theater was equipped for sound.
In 1933 the RKO State Theatre underwent major renovations ending with a RKO Art-Deco renovation. With the advent of talking movies, the theater became a popular cinema for first-run movies beginning in 1939.
In the 1950s RKO State Theatre began to host rock ‘n’ roll shows featuring popular artists like The Satins,Chubby Checker, and more. This emerging genre led to yet another renovation of the theater adding acoustic tiles, which helped produce a booming sound.[1]
In the 1970s, while continuing to host rock 'n' roll shows, the State Theatre drew in considerable audiences by embracing the Rocky Horror Picture Show.[2]
The State Theatre continued to operate into the 1960s until audiences switched to multiplex cinemas. RKO sold the building to a business that showed adult movies and the structure declined. In 1979 it was purchased by theNew Brunswick Development Corporation as part of New Brunswick's revitalization project for $455,000.[1]
In 1986, the New Brunswick Cultural Center, led by ChairmanRichard B. Sellars, former chairman and CEO ofJohnson & Johnson acquired the State Theatre from the New Brunswick Development Corporation, and in 1987 began a $3 million renovation. The State Theatre reopened as a performing arts center on April 24, 1988, with a performance by theJerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
In December 2003, with the help of the Middlesex County and Board of County Commissioners, the theater received $3 million for interior restoration. Up to 20 layers of paint were stripped away to determine the original color scheme. The ornamental plaster domed ceiling were repaired, and upgrades were made to the sound and lighting systems.[1]
The theatre re-opened in October 2004 with a performance by comedianJay Leno. In the summer of 2010, the State Theatre installed a newheating,ventilation, andair conditioning system costing $1 million provided byMiddlesex County.
Today, State Theatre New Jersey continues to flourish as the centerpiece and premier venue for New Brunswick, New Jersey arts community. State Theatre presents a diverse roaster of entertainment, including international orchestras, Broadway, comedy, dance, pop, rock, family events, and more.
In addition to presenting mainstage performances, State Theatre New Jersey hosts over 180 education and community engagement programs reaching 30,000 students, teachers, and families each year, with performances, workshops, artist residencies,Sensory friendly performances, and other activities.
As of June 2020, over six million people have come through the doors of the theater.[citation needed]
A new blademarquee was installed during the summer of 2021, as part of major renovations.[3]
Artists who have performed at State Theatre New Jersey throughout the years includePhish,Ringo Starr,Diana Ross,Harry Connick Jr.,David Copperfield,Frankie Valli,Bruce Springsteen,George Carlin,Lewis Black,kd lang,John Leguizamo,Tony Bennett andAretha Franklin. The State Theatre has also hosted distinguished international orchestras such as theNew York Philharmonic, thePhiladelphia Orchestra, theMunich Symphony Orchestra, theMariinsky Orchestra, and theBBC Concert Orchestra, among others.
On May 20, 2009, the State Theatre hosted the last performance byPeter, Paul, and Mary. Due toMary Travers' long illness and continuing decline, the remaining shows that the trio had planned were either canceled, or only featuredPeter Yarrow and Noel "Paul" Stookey. Mary Travers died of complications from chemotherapy on September 16, 2009.[1]
On November 14, 2018, the historic State Theatre New Jersey was the focus of the second episode ofNJTV's Treasures of New Jersey.[4]
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