Wilbur Theatre

The Wilbur Theatre is an historic performing arts theater at 244–250 Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wilbur Theatre was originally opened in 1914, but was revitalized in 2008. The Wilbur Theatre dwells in the heart of Boston's historic theater district and is known for hosting live comedy and music.

Wilbur Theatre
The Wilbur, 2009
Address244–250 Tremont Street
Boston, Massachusetts
United States
Capacity1,093, (1,200 General Admission)
Current useComedy and music venue
Construction
Opened1913
ArchitectBlackall, Clarence H.; Haynes Construction Co.
Tenants
Bill Blumenreich
Website
www.thewilbur.com
Coordinates42°21′2″N 71°3′56″W
Architectural styleColonial Revival
MPSBoston Theatre MRA
NRHP reference No.80000443[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 9, 1980

The venue seats 1,093, but the main floor (orchestra level) has removable tables and seating, to create a general admission standing room (bringing capacity to 1,200). It features basic concessions, including a full bar, on all three floors (Orchestra, Mezzanine, Balcony).

History

Clarence Blackall built the theater in 1913, and it was opened the following year. The Wilbur was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated as a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1987.

In 1998 SFX Entertainment (now Live Nation) bought the Boston theater properties of Jon B. Platt, which included the lease on the Wilbur.[2] The lease ended in 2006.[3]

In 2007 the theater was put on the market.[4] Bill Blumenreich, a former owner of the Comedy Connection[5][6] in Quincy Market, leased the building in 2008.[7][6] The theater continues to regularly host comedic and musical acts, as well as other events.[8]

Comedy specials

The following specials were filmed at the Wilbur Theatre:

Comic Special title Network Release date
Joe Rogan Strange Times[9] Netflix 2 October 2018
Norm Macdonald Hitler's Dog, Gossip, and Trickery[10] Netflix 9 May 2017
Dana Carvey Straight White Male, 60[11] Netflix 4 November 2016
Tig Notaro Boyish Girl Interrupted[12] HBO 22 August 2015
Jim Jefferies BARE[13] Netflix 29 August 2014
Jim Gaffigan Obsessed[14] Comedy Central 27 April 2014
Tom Green Tom Green Live[15] Showtime 2012
Gary Gulman In This Economy?[16] Comedy Central 1 September 2012
Kathy Griffin Gurrl Down[17] Bravo! 22 June 2011
Bruce Bruce Losin' It[18] Showtime 26 February 2011
David Cross Bigger & Blackerer[19] 25 May 2010
Craig Ferguson A Wee Bit o' Revolution[20] Comedy Central 22 March 2009

See also
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in northern Boston, Massachusetts

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. Bound for Boston: SFX subsidiary gains legit house American Artists
  3. The Wilbur Theatre is up for Sale
  4. Palmer Jr, Thomas C. (August 16, 2007). "Next act awaits the Wilbur Theatre". The Boston Globe.
  5. Palmer Jr, Thomas C. (March 12, 2008). "Comedy club owner to lease the Wilbur". The Boston Globe.
  6. Kandarian, Paul E. (May 18, 2014). "At the helm of the Wilbur Theatre". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  7. http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2008_08_05_Wilbur_Theatre_gets_its_acts_together/
  8. "The Wilbur – Boston". thewilbur.com. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  9. "Strange Times".
  10. Norm Macdonald: Hitler's Dog, Gossip & Trickery (2017), retrieved 2017-07-23
  11. "Netflix Announces Premiere Dates for New Line-Up Of Original Stand-up Comedy Specials". Netflix Media Center. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  12. Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted (2015), retrieved 2017-07-23
  13. Jim Jefferies: BARE (2014), retrieved 2017-07-23
  14. Jim Gaffigan: Obsessed (2014), retrieved 2017-07-23
  15. Tom Green: Tom Green Live (2012), retrieved 2017-07-23
  16. Gary Gulman: In This Economy? (2012), retrieved 2017-07-23
  17. Kathy Griffin: Gurrl Down (2011), retrieved 2017-07-23
  18. Bruce Bruce: Losin' It (2011), retrieved 2017-07-23
  19. David Cross: Bigger & Blackerer (Video 2010), retrieved 2017-07-23
  20. Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit o' Revolution (2009), retrieved 2017-07-23

Further reading
  • Yearbook of the Boston Architectural Club, 1915. Includes illus. of Wilbur Theatre
  • George McKinnon. "A born-again Wilbur will celebrate success." Boston Globe, 20 Jan 1980
  • Anthony J. Yudis. "Theatre plaza to spotlight the district." Boston Globe, 09 Oct 1983

Images
  • Program, 1915
  • Seating chart, c. 1917
  • Advertisement, 1922
  • Program, 1922
  • Lobby, 2009
  • Sign, 2010
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