Somerville Theatre

Somerville Theatre is a historic theater located in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts, and has been a prominent venue for live music, film screenings, and theater performances since its opening in 1914, with notable performers such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Joan Baez. The theater has hosted a wide range of events, from rock concerts featuring The Rolling Stones and The Who to film festivals showcasing the work of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. As a cultural institution, it has been recognized by National Register of Historic Places and has been compared to other historic theaters like the Orpheum Theatre (Boston) and the Cutler Majestic Theatre.

● History

The Somerville Theatre was built in 1914 by Joseph J. Daly and was designed to be a vaudeville house, with a mix of live performances and silent films featuring Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Over the years, the theater has undergone several renovations, including a major restoration in the 1980s led by Gerald F. Doherty and David W. Johnson, which aimed to preserve its original Beaux-Arts architecture and ornate decorations, similar to those found in the Boston Opera House and the Wang Theatre. The theater has also been influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, and has been compared to other historic theaters like the Palace Theatre (New York City) and the Chicago Theatre. The Somerville Theatre has been a popular venue for live music performances, hosting acts such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as comedy shows featuring Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

● Architecture

The Somerville Theatre is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture, with a grand facade featuring a marquee and ornate decorations, similar to those found in the New York Public Library and the Grand Central Terminal. The theater's interior is designed in the style of a French opera house, with a grand auditorium featuring a proscenium arch and ornate plasterwork, comparable to the Metropolitan Opera House and the Palais Garnier. The theater's design has been influenced by the work of Stanford White and Charles Follen McKim, and has been compared to other historic theaters like the Lyceum Theatre (New York City) and the Garrick Theatre (Chicago). The Somerville Theatre's architecture has also been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest and The New York Times.

● Performance Venues

The Somerville Theatre features a main auditorium with a seating capacity of over 900, as well as a smaller stage and screening room for more intimate performances, similar to those found in the Public Theater and the Village Vanguard. The theater has hosted a wide range of performances, including rock concerts featuring U2 and The Police, jazz performances by Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and theater productions by William Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams. The Somerville Theatre has also been a popular venue for film screenings, featuring the work of Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick, as well as independent films by Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee. The theater has been compared to other performance venues like the Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, and has been recognized by The Boston Globe and The New York Times.

● Notable Events

The Somerville Theatre has hosted many notable events over the years, including concerts by Elvis Presley and The Doors, as well as film premieres featuring Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The theater has also been a popular venue for comedy shows, hosting acts such as Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, as well as theater productions by Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill. The Somerville Theatre has been recognized by The Boston Globe and The New York Times for its contributions to the arts and culture of the Boston area, and has been compared to other historic theaters like the Globe Theatre and the Comedy Cellar. The theater has also been featured in publications such as Rolling Stone and Variety, and has been recognized by The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the American Theatre Wing.

● Restoration and Preservation

In recent years, the Somerville Theatre has undergone significant restoration and preservation efforts, led by The Somerville Theatre Foundation and The City of Somerville, with support from The National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Massachusetts Historical Commission. The restoration has aimed to preserve the theater's original architecture and decorations, while also upgrading its technical systems and amenities, similar to the restoration efforts at the Ford's Theatre and the Apollo Theater. The Somerville Theatre has been recognized by The National Register of Historic Places and The American Institute of Architects for its historic significance and architectural merit, and has been compared to other historic theaters like the Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles) and the Paramount Theatre (Oakland). The theater continues to be a vibrant cultural institution, hosting a wide range of performances and events, and remains a beloved landmark in the Davis Square neighborhood, with support from The Somerville Arts Council and The Boston Foundation. Category:Theatres in Massachusetts