Wang Theatre

Subsequent to the restoration, the Wang still seats more than 3,600. It is probable that the Wang, rather than the Palace in Waterbury, CT, is the largest capacity historic theatre in New England. The decorative restoration of both theatres was conducted by Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc.

The Metropolitan was acquired by the Sack chain and reopened in 1962 as the Music Hall with “Boys Night Out” with James Garner and Kim Novak. I don’t think the site was seriously considered as a roadshow theatre due to it’s enormous size, but when “Cleopatra” was opening in June 1963, Sack decided that the anticipated business for the anxiously awaited film would justify a reserved seat policy in so large a theatre. The film wasn’t able to sustain itself in the slump following John Kennedy’s assassination and in late No. was moved over to the smaller Gary Theatre, where it lasted until Jan. 1964. It was during the “Cleopatra” run that I first was taken to this astonishing theatre. The only other roadshow attraction to play there was “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” in 1965. Other than that the theatre enjoyed some of the most successful film engagements of that era including “Goldfinger”, “Thunderball”, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and many others. In July, 1966, some friends and I attended the world premiere of “Torn Curtain” which Hitchcock scheduled for 9AM on a Wednesday morning. Hitchcock was there to cut a 50 layer cake for his 50th film (not surprisingly, Newman and Andrews did not attend). By the late 60’s rock concerts started up there and it was a perfect venue to see great rock acts before the era of stadium rock. Some of the great concerts I attended there were Jefferson Airplane (a few times), Neil Young (an all acoustic set in 1970), Joni Mitchell, The Moody Blues, Linda Ronstadt and more. By the time it became the Wang Center I had left town.