Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, Boston, MA

100 YEARS OLD AND NEW AGAIN!

Celebrating A New Name

After a year of reconstruction and renovation, Boston’s House of Gold reopened in May 2003 as the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College. With their gracious lead gift in 1999, Ted and Joan Cutler spurred the restoration of this century-old performing arts venue. President Jacqueline Liebergott declares that the Cutlers “personify the ideals of Emerson College, and we are proud to attach their name to the Majestic Theatre, which is a jewel in our crown.” The restoration has won a range of prestigious national awards for both the quality of the work done and its substantial positive impact on the community. The restored Majestic is busier than ever, providing a home for Boston's not-for-profit producers and presenters of operas, dance, theater and music. Click for current schedule.

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE CRITICS

"Beautifully ornate" -- Anthony Tommasini New York Times, June 13, 2003	"Sumptuously renovated" -- Richard Dyer The Boston Globe, June 29, 2003
*“A dazzling $10 million restoration that returns the century-old Tremont Street landmark to its original pink-and-gold beaux-arts* splendor"** -- Mary Jo Palumbo Boston Herald, May 17, 2003	“Everything from the lobby to the sanitary facilities has been reconfigured and improved. The second balcony, with its precipitous incline, has been reopened, and this intimate theater glitters with old-fashioned elegance." -- Lloyd Schwartz Boston Phoenix, July 1, 2003

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN USHER

By Megan McCool
June 27, 2003

Tears streamed down the woman’s cheeks. I asked her if there was anything I could do, but she just looked at me with her eyes glistening and said, “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

Being an usher this summer during the preopening events, I have had the privilege of witnessing visitors’ first glimpse of the newly restored Majestic. Some cry. Others stop in the aisle and literally step back because they are so overtaken with her beauty. Still others have trouble watching the performance because the theater’s charm is so enticing. It sparkles and shines exactly as it did 100 years ago. Prepare to be overwhelmed.

A 21st CENTURY THEATER IN A 19th CENTURY BUILDING

The Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College is a first class, twenty-first century working theater inside a nineteenth century historic landmark. It is "home" for Opera Boston, Handel and Haydn Society, Emerson Stage, Bank of America Celebrity Series, Boston Early Music Festival, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, The New England Conservatory Opera Program, and World Music, among other New England not-for-profit producers and presenters. The resulting range of exciting, innovative and fun events has kept the Cutler Majestic Theatre "lighted" more consistently than any other Theatre District facility.

These arts groups are established, well regarded institutions with stakes in the New England community. They are committed to community service for the long term -- two of the partners are over 100 years old! Not only do these institutions entertain through their performances at the Majestic, but they also serve by educating the public and providing cultural activities which would be rare or non-existent in a primarily profit-focused environment. The artists and managers are part of our community, the organizations are guided by trustees who have stepped forward from our community, and operating revenues are returned to our local economy in the form of wages and purchases of goods and services. The Cutler Majestic Theatre is a unique performing arts center for greater Boston and New England.

This work has been so important to the community that it has garnered two Boston Magazine "Best of Boston" awards, and the Historic Neighborhoods Foundation Award for enhancing and preserving the design and social heritage of the city of Boston. The theater is a member of the League of Historic American Theaters, and former mayor Raymond Flynn proclaimed April 26, 1989 to be Emerson Majestic Theatre Day.