$20M Count Basie Expansion

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By John Burton
RED BANK – The Count Basie Theatre’s proposed expansion will have a profound effect on the arts community, and businesses are positive about the long-term economic impact.
The 90-year-old historic theater, 99 Monmouth St., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, announced its 10-year plan to expand taking up much of the space on its Monmouth Street block going west to the Pearl Street corner and east, eventually abutting Buona Sera Ristorante and Bar at the Maple Avenue intersection.
“It is an ambitious plan,” offered Adam Philipson, the theater’s president and chief executive officer. “But it’s one we believe we have the support for” and one, he continued, that will benefit the immediate community and region.
“It’s a big vision but it makes sense,” said Mary Eileen Fouratt, executive director of Monmouth County Arts Council, an arts and arts education advocacy organization also on Monmouth Street. “And I think we can make it happen.”
The $20 million plan calls for the Count Basie Theatre, in its undertaking “The Future is Now” capital campaign, to raise the necessary money for such work as upgrades to the theater’s plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning systems, enlarging the stage, installing a hydraulic orchestra pit, and upgrading lighting, as well as building additional restrooms and installing energy.
Philipson said he hoped to break ground within three to four years.
“It’s an absolute game changer; it absolutely is,” said Mayor Pasquale Menna, talking about the theater’s plans and its role for the community.
Menna referenced statistics indicating theater patrons account for about $17 million annually into the regional economy and that could increase to as much as $30 million with this project. Theater patrons regularly dine locally and shop before and after performances, benefitting everyone, Menna pointed out.


Related story: Basie Expansion Requires More Parking


James Scavone, executive director of Red Bank RiverCenter, the management and advocacy organization for the borough’s business special improvement district, agreed. “Whether it attracts people to town or whether it attracts businesses to town,” Scavone offered, “any time there’s a major development like this in town, it just adds to the overall value of the business community.”
And for the most part area businesses agreed with that assessment.
“The Count Basie is great for business,” observed Ted Lennon, a bartender at Teak restaurant and bar, 64 Monmouth St.
Red Bank faces tough competition from Asbury Park as a destination for the arts and entertainment and “Red Bank needs it,” Lennon said, meaning this project, to remain relevant.
“It’ll be the cream on the cake,” said Christopher Mariani, who owns and operates Buona Sera Ristorante and bar, 50 Maple Ave. “We’re excited about it.”
“Definitely. It’ll draw people in,” offered Marita Lynn, who owns and operates Runa Peruvian Cuisine restaurant, 110 Monmouth St.
“Any action in town is good,” believes Chris Covert, co-owner of Elise’s Sub Shop, 74 Monmouth St.
His shop gets a bump in business when the theater is active. “Maybe not the Monmouth Symphony,” Covert conceded, “but if it’s a smaller show, it’s good for us.”
Other area businesses, however, have reservations.
“Parking is the first thing I was thinking,” when he heard about the plans, said T.J. Moss, owner of Fins and Feathers pet shop, 134 Monmouth St.
This may increase competition for the limited on-street parking but, Moss hoped, it may help increase customer foot traffic. “Every once in a while you do get a customer,” who’s on the way to catch a show. Moss did acknowledge the theater’s news was “huge.”
Philipson said during a press conference held on Monday morning at the theater, one of the major undertakings associated with the project is upgrades to the site’s backstage facilities, including state-of-the-art stage and lighting technologies; a hydraulic orchestra pit; and modern dressing and gathering areas for artists and performers; in addition, the stage will be extended by 10 feet. “This,” Philipson said, “will allow for bigger productions” of Broadway-style theatrical efforts and more and even bigger-named artists for the venue.
Productions in the past had inquired about using the theater but had to pass because of its limitations. The backstage area hasn’t been renovated probably since nearly the theater’s beginning, Philipson suspected.
Also included in the project plans is to build a second multi-use performance space, intended for use by the theater’s educational programs and a small cabaret-style venue, that, Basie representatives said, will serve as a standing room venue to accommodate as many as 550 people.
The idea is to bring the theater, nearly a century old, into the next century, said Tom Widener, who chairs the theater’s board of directors and trustees.
Rock and roll drummer Steve Van Zandt, who plays with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, along with his wife Maureen, are honorary co-chairs of the capital campaign. Van Zandt, at the press conference talked of the importance of performance spaces given how many are disappearing and the even greater importance of the educational component. “It’s really important to have a place for kids to develop,” outside of the classroom, he said. “Teaching in a classroom is one thing. But getting out and performing is really the second half of that.”
And Colts Neck Jacquie Lee, an 18-year-old former contestant on TV’s “The Voice” competition and professional performer, added the role the theater and its Rockit educational program played in her development. “I immediately felt like what I was suppose to be,” surrounded by like-minded young adults, she said.
The Future is Now capital campaign has received a $1 million donation from Rumson’s Mulheren family, the theater announced in its press release.
“I can’t tell you how much,” more the campaign has secured so far, Philipson said. But, he continued, it was enough so that, “we’re comfortable going public,” announcing the plans at this time.