Count Basie Theatre History
On July 29, 1925 the Red Bank Register reported that Joseph Oschwald of Little Silver had announced plans to build a theatre on Monmouth Street for a partnership of Joseph Stern of Newark, the Burns and Schaffer Amusement Co. and Walter Reade, then New Jersey’s largest theatre owner. The property and the rights of way for the land were purchased for $21,000, and the projected construction cost was $300,000 to $500,000. Ground was broken on December 9, 1925, and the theatre opened on Armistice Day, November 11, 1926. First known as the State Theater (the initials “ST” are still inscribed on the peak of the building’s façade), the theatre’s name was changed twice, first to the Red Bank Theater, and then to the name it operated under for over four decades: the Carlton Theater. Opening night was a grand affair, headlined by the Keith-Albee vaudeville with the feature film “The Quarterback,” starring Richard Dix, Carlton’s News Events and a ten piece orchestra. During intermission Walter Reader described the theatre’s policies. That summer and fall, the plan was to use the theater to try out musical comedies and other shows to be produced in New York. Admission would never be more than 75 cents for picture and vaudeville shows, although the price might be higher when musical comedies and other special attractions were played. The Red Bank Register reported that the new Carlton Theater, was “…a marvel of beauty, convenience and comfort. Outside and inside it is a veritable and architectural triumph.” “Color and light are two of the outstanding features of the new building. Thousands of electric lights stud the ceilings and sidewalls. In the center of the main part of the building is an enormous dome-like sunburst illuminated with myriad concealed lights. A very large glass chandelier is suspended from the center of the dome.” “The interior of the theatre is rich with colors harmoniously blended.” “…the furnishings…are rich in velours and velvets in contrasting shades.” A grandly painted vaudeville curtain, still in use today, filled the proscenium arch. The theatre was privately owned and operated for almost 50 years, until 1973, when a significant anonymous donation made it possible for the Monmouth County Arts Council to acquire the building for just $96,665 and preserve it for cultural uses. It operated as the Monmouth Arts Center until 1984, when it was renamed in honor of jazz pianist, composer, band leader and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie (1904-1984) following his passing that year. On June 30, 1999, the Count Basie Theatre, Inc. was established as an independent nonprofit corporation to maintain ownership and manage, program and preserve the theatre for the benefit of the community. In 2004, the first of a 12-phase, $20 million renovation began with the purchase and installation of brand new historically accurate theatre seats. Total expenditures on capital improvements since then have totaled $12 million. Although the current schedule is composed of “live” music, dance, theatre and arts-in-education performances, much remains the same about the building. Almost 200,000 people a year attend events at the Count Basie Theatre. In an age when we communicate and entertain ourselves through mediums that Walter Reade, Joseph Stern and Joseph Oschwald could not have even imagined, their theatre is still the place where people go when they need to get out of the house and be entertained and enlightened in the company of their neighbors. A more expansive telling of the Count Basie Theatre’s history is available at www.countbasietheatre.org.