Count Basie Theatre

Specialties

The Count Basie Theatre is an historic 1926 theatre in downtown Red Bank, NJ!

The theatre was rechristened the Count Basie Theatre in 1984, in honor of jazz pianist, composer and band leader William «Count» Basie (1904 – 1984). Even though jazz historians most commonly associate Count Basie with Kansas City, where he formed his first band, Basie was in fact a Red Bank native, born in his parent’s house on Mechanic Street on August 21, 1904.

Performing over 180 different shows every year, we have something for everyone!

History

Established in 1926.

The Count Basie Theatre is an historic landmark that operates as a theatre for performing arts in Red Bank, NJ. It opened as the Carlton Theater in 1926 and was renamed in 1984 to honor jazz great and Red Bank native William «Count» Basie. It has seating capacity for 1,568 patrons. Edward Franklin Albee II opened the Carlton on November 11, 1926 as one of a series of elaborate new Keith-​Albee vaudeville theatres. The Register called the new theatre «…a marvel of beauty, convenience and comfort. Outside and inside it is a veritable and architectural triumph.» In 1984, it was rechristened the Count Basie Theatre, in memorial to the recently deceased jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and Red Bank native William «Count» Basie. The arts council operated the theatre until June 30, 1999, when the not-​for-​profit corporation Count Basie Theatre, Inc. was established to manage, program, and preserve the theatre.

Meet the Manager

Numa S.

Manager

Numa Saisselin has been CEO of the Count Basie Theatre, a 1,568 seat historic theatre in Red Bank, NJ since January 2002. Since then annual attendance has increased from 50,000 to 185,000 people a year; the theatre’s budget has grown from $ 1.4 million with a deficit to $ 6 million a year with five consecutive profitable years; and substantial capital improvements to the building include new historically appropriate seats in 2004; a new roof in 2007; and in 2008 the theatre closed for four months for a complete decorative plaster and paint renovation. During the last several years the Basie has been recognized: as a Major Presenting Organization for the State of NJ by the NJ State Council on the Arts; as the Asbury Park Press’ Shore Area Venue of the Year; as one of Contribute Magazine’s Top 200 Investor Worthy Charities; with an Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Spinnaker Award; and as one of Pollstar Magazine’s Top 100 Worldwide Theatres.

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