Arts & Entertainment
Count Basie To Re-Enact 1926 Opening Night
The re-enactment will take place in November and serve as a grand finale for the center's Centennial Celebration.
RED BANK, NJ — The Count Basie Center for the Arts will cap its Centennial Celebration with an immersive re-enactment of its opening night this fall.
Set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, patrons can expect an "immersive theatrical presentation" from the moment they approach the venue, officials said.
As part of the re-enactment, attendees will be able to see ‘stars’ of the era arriving in classic cars, Gatsby-esque fashion and flair, an authentic speakeasy experience with custom, era-specific cocktails and mocktails, 1920s hot jazz and more.
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Tickets, priced at $19.26 all-in, are on sale now at theBASIE.org, the Basie Center Box Office, and on Ticketmaster.
Free tickets for Red Bank residents are available through the box office during regular business hours: Tuesday–Friday (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Saturday (12 p.m. - 5 p.m.)
“Our Centennial Celebration has given us a chance to reflect on this building's incredible history and what our presence means to our community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We wanted to end with something really special that would give everyone a chance to participate and experience what opening night might have been.”
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“We’re excited to take audiences back to 1926, with vintage cars, live jazz, the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, and the first movie ever played,” Philipson continued. “It's a once-in-a-century chance to experience a piece of our history while giving people a taste of the creativity and excitement we want to bring to the Basie Center for the next 100 years.”
The historic theater’s original opening-night presentation, the Paramount Pictures film The Quarterback, has been restored to 4k clarity by the Basie Center and will be shown on Nov. 14 along with accompaniment by silent film organist Ben Model.
A separate event will close the evening, featuring a curated dining experience by celebrated New Jersey chef Sean Yan (Metuchen’s Ram & Rooster), along with a gala program honoring Senator Vin Gopal and Netflix for their contributions to the performing arts.
Tickets for the gala are available at thebasie.org or by calling 732-224-8778, ext. 128.
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