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Citi Performing Arts Center

The Citi Performing Arts Center has not one, but two wonderful theaters for performances. The first is the Wang Theatre, which is a historic spot that's been putting on shows since 1925. The second is the Shubert Theatre. These two renovated historic venues are part of the non-profit center. They host Broadway plays and other professional performances, as well as community activities.

History

The Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston was formerly known the Wang Center for the Performing Arts. Its roots go all the way back to 1925, when the Wang Theatre was known as the Metropolitan and affectionately called "The Met." It was a major Boston landmark during the 1920’s, hosting vaudeville shows, big band performances, and movies.

In 1962 the theater got a new name. It was dubbed the Music Hall, and it acted as the home base for the Boston Ballet. It also hosted operas during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Over time, its condition deteriorated until it was badly in need of repairs.

In 1980, the Music Hall became a non-profit organization called the Metropolitan Center, in honor of its original name. In 1983, the name changed once again, thanks to a generous monetary gift from Dr. An Wang, who founded Wang Laboratories. By the end of the decade, nearly $10 million had been raised to renovate the venue, now dubbed the Wang Theatre. Its repairs and facelift were completed in the 1990s, and it began its new life as a commercial theater and community gathering place.

Today, the Citi Performing Arts Center is made up of both the of these two amazing theatres, which the non-profit organization has an agreement to manage. The Shubert dates back to 1910, when it presented "The Taming of the Shrew" as its very first production. It also underwent a renovation during the 1990’s that restored it to its original condition.

The catch-all name comes from a long-term partnership with Citigroup that began in 2006. The organization is one of the most well-regarded not for profit performing arts institutions in America, and botht theaters have come to be hosts of a variety of cultural performances and events.

Today’s Citi Performing Arts Center

The two theaters currently host a wide variety of performances, from opera and classical music to modern concerts and plays. Its shows run anywhere from one night to long-term engagements.

The Citi Performing Arts Center also has an education and public programming initiative through which it hosts community activities and various educational workshops. It also supports local performers and groups related to the arts. Shows run the gamut from popular off-Broadway and Broadway plays like "The Addams Family" to family fare like "Arthur's Live Adventure."

Location

The Citi Performing Arts Center is located in the heart of Boston's thriving theater district, which is in the Chinatown area. It's on the west end of the Financial District and just south of the Boston Common. The Common is one of the stops on the Freedom Trail, making the Center's location convenient for tourists who also want to see the Trail's sights. It is also in a hotbed of some of Boston’s best restaurants, including those that serve up authentic Asian cuisine.

Although parking in Boston is almost always a challenge, the theaters have several parking garages located within walking distance if you choose to drive. Some of the garages offer reduced rates if you get your parking validated at the theater or a participating restaurant.

There are public transportation alternatives like the Orange Line and the Green Line, both of which stop within a block of the theater. Take the Orange Line to Tufts Medical Center or the Green Line to the Boylston Street stop. The Red Line takes you within five blocks of the Citi Performing Arts Center if you get off at the Park Street stop and walk down Tremont Street.

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Citi Performing Arts Center