The Wilbur Theatre is a historic performing arts theater at 244–250
Tremont Street
Tremont Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts.
Tremont Street begins at Government Center in Boston's city center as a continuation of Cambridge Street, and forms the eastern edge of Boston Common. Continuing in a roughly so ...
in
Boston
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
,
. The Wilbur Theatre originally opened in 1914, but underwent renovations in 2008. The Wilbur Theatre sits in the heart of Boston's historic theater district and is known for hosting live comedy and music.
The venue seats 1,093, but the main floor (orchestra level) has removable tables and seating, to create a general admission standing room (bringing capacity to 1,200). It features basic concessions, including a full bar, on each of the three floors (Orchestra, Mezzanine, Balcony).
History
Clarence Blackall
Clarence Howard Blackall (February 3, 1857 – March 5, 1942) was an American architect who is estimated to have designed 300 theatres.
Life and career
Blackall was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1857. He attended college at the University of Ill ...
built the theater in 1913, and it was opened the following year. The Wilbur was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1980 and designated as a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1987.
In 1998 SFX Entertainment (now
Live Nation
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. is an American global entertainment company and monopoly that was founded in 2010 following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The company promotes, operates, and manages ticket sales for live entertainme ...
) bought the Boston theater properties of Jon B. Platt, which included the lease on the Wilbur. The lease ended in 2006.
In 2007 the theater was put on the market. Bill Blumenreich, a former owner of the Comedy Connection
in
Quincy Market
Quincy Market is a historic building near Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It was constructed between 1824 and 1826 and named in honor of mayor Josiah Quincy, who organized its construction without any tax or debt. The market is ...
, leased the building in 2008.
The theater continues to regularly host comedic and musical acts, as well as other events.
Comedy specials
The following specials were filmed at the Wilbur Theatre:
See also
*
References
Further reading
''Yearbook of the Boston Architectural Club'', 1915 Includes illus. of Wilbur Theatre
* George McKinnon. "A born-again Wilbur will celebrate success." ''Boston Globe'', 20 Jan 1980
* Anthony J. Yudis. "Theatre plaza to spotlight the district." ''Boston Globe'', 09 Oct 1983
External links
* Library of Congress
Drawing of Ye Wilbur Theatre Tremont St. and Hollis St., Boston, Massachusetts, 1927.
Boston Athenæum Theater History Wilbur Theatre (1914–), 250–252 Tremont Street
* New York Public Library:
*
Photo of interior Wilbur Theatre, Boston, Mass., 20th century
*
Programfor the Wilbur Theatre, Boston (Oct. 1956)
* Bostonian Society:
*
Photo of 244-272 Tremont Street c. 1935
*
Photo of 250-268 Tremont Street c. 1959
* City of Boston
Landmarks CommissionWilbur Theatre Study Report
1983
Images
File:1915 WilburTheatre Boston program Dec6.png, Program, 1915
File:1917 WilburTheatre Boston.png, Seating chart, c. 1917
File:1922 Shubert Wilbur theatre BostonGlobe January23.png, Advertisement, 1922
File:1922 WilburTheatre Boston USA.png, Program, 1922
File:2009 Wilbur Theatre Boston 3594468105.jpg, Lobby, 2009
File:2010 WiburTheatre Boston 4558888488.jpg, Sign, 2010
{{Authority control
Theatres completed in 1913
Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
Buildings and structures in Boston
Theatres in Boston
Boston Theater District
1914 establishments in Massachusetts
Event venues established in 1914
National Register of Historic Places in Boston
Landmarks in Boston