The Brook Theater, now known as the Brook Arts Center, built by local developer Alexander Morecraft, opened its door on January 19, 1927, as a vaudeville house. The theater was designed by architect W. H. Lehman of Newark, NJ, and Interior Designer Vincent Marilette of New York. The Brook Theater was considered an architectural masterpiece. The foyer adorned with marble walls, stained glass Tiffany chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and wall sconces illuminated the gold-framed billboard arches and beveled mirrors accents. Guests were welcomed into the Grand Lobby by a crimson red carpet and a Louis XIV design walls of marble leading to the luxurious lounge, which accommodated period chairs, marble fireplaces, and an Art Nouveau decorative water fountain.
The decorative pilasters in the auditorium exhibited a Moresque influence, the Greek masonry proscenium arch, the egg and dart decorative motif of cornice plasterwork, and the whispering dome and chandeliers added to its elegance. The thirteen hundred and twelve seats were upholstered in soft blue cushioned leather to complement the ocean blue stage curtain. Located in the orchestra pit was a pipe organ, a Wurlitzer, one of the finest of its time. The old-world charm and high style attracted patrons who sought to experience the luxury and grandeur the Brook offered.
The Brook quickly became a popular regional venue and an intricate part of the entertainment and social life of Bound Brook and central New Jersey, and drew crowds from NYC, arriving at the Bound Brook train station. The venue provided a full scope of entertainment from WC Fields, Jack Benny, Sophie Turner, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, and countless motion pictures until 1929. From 1930-1963, under the management of Fox-Metropolitan Corporation, the Brook, operated continuously as a performing arts center and first-run movie house.
In 1963, the Morecraft family took back control, and renovated the interior, and installed new modern movie equipment and 900 new deluxe loge seats. The Daily Home News stated, “the new Brook is the most luxurious and most comfortable theater in New Jersey". From 1979 to 1994, the Brook was leased and operated by various management groups. During that time, the majestic interior went through many changes, and sadly with a steady fall in the maintenance, the building interior design and building were deteriorating. The old-world luxury and opulence were slipping away, so were the guests, who were going to modern movie houses and theaters.
For the next five years, there was limited activity in the theater. Then, in 1997 a group of dedicated volunteers with fond childhood memories had the vision to purchase the theater and restore it to its original glory and established the Somerset County Cultural Arts. Gerry Appel, the Executive Director and Founder led the mission to create a performaning arts center that will provide high-quality entertainment; to inspire creativity, learning, and growth through the Arts; and to foster community partnerships and educational programs.Throughout the red tape process, volunteers worked arduously on cleaning the theater.
For the next two years, the Brook was operated as a movie house, while Appel and his dedicated team set into motion the plans for an arts incubator for organizations and artists to create their craft, whether it be theatre, dance, music, film, or visual arts. Unfortunately, those plans were paused on September 16, 1999, when Hurricane Floyd struck the east coast, flooding Bound Brook and leaving 17 feet of murky Raritan River water in the auditorium and ravaging the renovation efforts.
With the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers, the water was removed, but the harm already was done. Seats ruined, walls tattered, the 1927 Wurlitzer destroyed, and the entire main theater deemed unusable. Instead of giving up on their dream, Appel and his team were more steadfast to get the theater back on course. Determined to raise revenue to purchase, they transformed the main lobby into a small stage, creating a black box theater. Under Appel's direction, an audience of 150 people attended plays just as “Our Town” and “Mary,Mary" and a variety of shows and many benefit performances. Eventually moving into the theater for "Little Shop of Horrors”.
In May of 2001, the group was issued a 501-c (3) and awarded Somerset County and Federal Economic Development program grants totaling $3 million to purchase and rehabilitate the property. On October 7, 2003, SCCAC purchased the theater for $600,000. Renovations began in April 2004. An estimated $2.3 million spent restoring the infrastructural and installing modernized HVAC systems and upgraded electric service.
On April 10, 2007, a Nor’easter storm swept across the state, and again the Brook suffered the damaging water of the Raritan River. The stage area, electric system, and heating systems were entirely underwater and destroyed. With the little funding remaining, the SCACC was able to make the necessary repairs and renovations and managed to revive the theater sufficiently to open the doors.
After many years of struggle, the theater is staying afloat through continuous programming and loyal fans who have fond memories of attending shows and movies at the Brook. Many had their first date at the theater, while others share childhood memories with their families. Several couples fell in love at the water fountain or saw Tony Bennett with their grandmother. They recount the screaming girls at the premiere of “ A Hard Days, Nights” and the line around the block for “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Former Bound Brook residents often visit the theater to reminisce. From new to returning guests, who enter the doors, they marvel at the old-world décor and look past the areas that are still in need of repair. They look up at the whispering dome and chandelier and envision the Brook in its full grandeur.
The Historic Brook Theater is the only existing vaudeville theater remaining in Somerset County, and one of eight in New Jersey, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 2014.
From the time of its inception, the Brook has been a contributing component to the community and region. Through the various interior and management changes over the years, the theater stands structurally intact, possessing most of its original features and offering its historical significance as a cultural lightning rod for artists. While there is still much work to be done to bring the theater back to its former splendor, it is a fully operating multi-use facility. The SCCAC’s objective is to continue its mission to restore the Brook Theater to its former grandeur through updates and modernizations which will turn this “hidden gem” into a state of the art facility offering affordable quality entertainment and arts education.
The decorative pilasters in the auditorium exhibited a Moresque influence, the Greek masonry proscenium arch, the egg and dart decorative motif of cornice plasterwork, and the whispering dome and chandeliers added to its elegance. The thirteen hundred and twelve seats were upholstered in soft blue cushioned leather to complement the ocean blue stage curtain. Located in the orchestra pit was a pipe organ, a Wurlitzer, one of the finest of its time. The old-world charm and high style attracted patrons who sought to experience the luxury and grandeur the Brook offered.
The Brook quickly became a popular regional venue and an intricate part of the entertainment and social life of Bound Brook and central New Jersey, and drew crowds from NYC, arriving at the Bound Brook train station. The venue provided a full scope of entertainment from WC Fields, Jack Benny, Sophie Turner, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, and countless motion pictures until 1929. From 1930-1963, under the management of Fox-Metropolitan Corporation, the Brook, operated continuously as a performing arts center and first-run movie house.
In 1963, the Morecraft family took back control, and renovated the interior, and installed new modern movie equipment and 900 new deluxe loge seats. The Daily Home News stated, “the new Brook is the most luxurious and most comfortable theater in New Jersey". From 1979 to 1994, the Brook was leased and operated by various management groups. During that time, the majestic interior went through many changes, and sadly with a steady fall in the maintenance, the building interior design and building were deteriorating. The old-world luxury and opulence were slipping away, so were the guests, who were going to modern movie houses and theaters.
For the next five years, there was limited activity in the theater. Then, in 1997 a group of dedicated volunteers with fond childhood memories had the vision to purchase the theater and restore it to its original glory and established the Somerset County Cultural Arts. Gerry Appel, the Executive Director and Founder led the mission to create a performaning arts center that will provide high-quality entertainment; to inspire creativity, learning, and growth through the Arts; and to foster community partnerships and educational programs.Throughout the red tape process, volunteers worked arduously on cleaning the theater.
For the next two years, the Brook was operated as a movie house, while Appel and his dedicated team set into motion the plans for an arts incubator for organizations and artists to create their craft, whether it be theatre, dance, music, film, or visual arts. Unfortunately, those plans were paused on September 16, 1999, when Hurricane Floyd struck the east coast, flooding Bound Brook and leaving 17 feet of murky Raritan River water in the auditorium and ravaging the renovation efforts.
With the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers, the water was removed, but the harm already was done. Seats ruined, walls tattered, the 1927 Wurlitzer destroyed, and the entire main theater deemed unusable. Instead of giving up on their dream, Appel and his team were more steadfast to get the theater back on course. Determined to raise revenue to purchase, they transformed the main lobby into a small stage, creating a black box theater. Under Appel's direction, an audience of 150 people attended plays just as “Our Town” and “Mary,Mary" and a variety of shows and many benefit performances. Eventually moving into the theater for "Little Shop of Horrors”.
In May of 2001, the group was issued a 501-c (3) and awarded Somerset County and Federal Economic Development program grants totaling $3 million to purchase and rehabilitate the property. On October 7, 2003, SCCAC purchased the theater for $600,000. Renovations began in April 2004. An estimated $2.3 million spent restoring the infrastructural and installing modernized HVAC systems and upgraded electric service.
On April 10, 2007, a Nor’easter storm swept across the state, and again the Brook suffered the damaging water of the Raritan River. The stage area, electric system, and heating systems were entirely underwater and destroyed. With the little funding remaining, the SCACC was able to make the necessary repairs and renovations and managed to revive the theater sufficiently to open the doors.
After many years of struggle, the theater is staying afloat through continuous programming and loyal fans who have fond memories of attending shows and movies at the Brook. Many had their first date at the theater, while others share childhood memories with their families. Several couples fell in love at the water fountain or saw Tony Bennett with their grandmother. They recount the screaming girls at the premiere of “ A Hard Days, Nights” and the line around the block for “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Former Bound Brook residents often visit the theater to reminisce. From new to returning guests, who enter the doors, they marvel at the old-world décor and look past the areas that are still in need of repair. They look up at the whispering dome and chandelier and envision the Brook in its full grandeur.
The Historic Brook Theater is the only existing vaudeville theater remaining in Somerset County, and one of eight in New Jersey, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 2014.
From the time of its inception, the Brook has been a contributing component to the community and region. Through the various interior and management changes over the years, the theater stands structurally intact, possessing most of its original features and offering its historical significance as a cultural lightning rod for artists. While there is still much work to be done to bring the theater back to its former splendor, it is a fully operating multi-use facility. The SCCAC’s objective is to continue its mission to restore the Brook Theater to its former grandeur through updates and modernizations which will turn this “hidden gem” into a state of the art facility offering affordable quality entertainment and arts education.
|
1927
|
RESTORATION 2017
