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THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION
SEPT/OCT/NOV 2017
Arts Center The Historic Brook Theater is Looking Magnificent. Come see the theater with its newly rehabilitated lobby and auditorium. Check out our diverse schedule of cultural, educational, historical, and entertainment events. The theater is also available for outside productions and fundraisers. For Information, visit www.brookarts.org, or call 732-469-7700. BROOK ARTS CENTER 10 Hamilton Street Bround Brook, NJ 08805 732-469-7700 www.brookarts.org The Historic Brook Theater in Bound Brook has limped by in a sad state of disrepair since the flooding incidents of the past ten years did their damage, but the grand old theater is now being returned to its former grandeur once again. Thanks, in part, to a grant from the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, work has been virtually non-stop since the beginning of the year, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. The Freeholders’ grant allowed for the rehabilitation of the original plaster work, which took five months to repair and repaint the deco- rative motifs on the ceiling and walls. Kat Cannelongo, Board of Directors Chairperson, said that patrons coming to the theater will be in awe of the utterly beautiful Whisper Dome in the center of the ceiling, as well as the grandness of the auditorium. In addition to the plaster work, other areas that have been rehabilitated or added are the inner and outer lobby, a lovely crystal chandelier suspended from the dome, new wall draperies, and a new stage lighting system. Still on the To-Do list is the make-over of the concession stand, the stage refur- bishment, reconstruction of the outside Ticket Booth, and installation of new theater seating. Grant applications have been submitted to the New Jersey Historic Trust for the Ticket Booth proj- ect. A seating campaign recently com- menced in order to fill the auditorium with plush new theater-style seating. The board is hoping to reach the goal of approximately 800 new seats within the year. The campaign can be accessed through the theater’s website as well as through Facebook. A $250 donation will allow people to “pur- chase” a seat with their name on a brass plate, or dedicate it in memory of a loved one. The Historic Brook Theater, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in May 2014, opened its doors on January 19, 1927 as a vaude- ville theater, with many now-famous people gracing its stage through the years, such as Mae West, W.C. Fields, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett. Not long after it opened, the new talking pictures took hold of the American imagination, and the rest is history. The Theater remained a movie theater and live performance venue until the early 1990’s. In 2001, the non-profit Somerset County Cultural Arts Center purchased the theater with grants and loans from the U.S. and New Jersey Economic Development Agencies and from the Somerset County Freehold- ers. Their mission is to provide cultural, educational, historic, and entertaining events to the surrounding region. The theater offers a diverse schedule of plays and musicals, operas, rock con- certs, orchestra performances, dance, and presentations of interest. It is also available as a rental for outside pro- ductions and fund-raisers. Additionally, the theater is a home- base for the Garden State Theater Organ Society, who maintains the big organ console and huge organ pipe system. The GSTOS also provides live performances throughout the year, and silent movie classics accompanied by the organ. Cannelongo also reported that a regular classic movie series will be starting soon on Friday nights, and urges everyone to come see the new Historic Brook Theater – you will be amazed. Information for upcoming perform- ances and movies, as well as rentals, can be found on the theater website (www.brookarts.org) or by calling 732- 469-7700. THE HISTORIC BROOK THEATER GETS MAJOR MAKE-OVER Make your time more productive! Lube & Lunch Bring and enjoy your lunch on our outdoor patio while we service your vehicle indoors. Jiffy Lube, the Jiffy Lube Design Mark and Signature Service are registered trademarks of Jiffy Lube International Inc. All rights reserved. # ! & % $" Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-7pm Sat. 8am-5pm; Sun. 9am-3pm No Appointment Necessary 1503 Rt. 27 South Between Cozzens Lane and Bennetts Lane 1316 Route 22 East Located at Morgan Lane Radiator Check/ Antifreeze Replacement Complete Fluid Maintenance Tire Rotation Services Fuel System Cleaning Wiper Blades Cabin Air Filters AND MORE! www.theconnectionsnj.com