HISTORY OF THE BROOK
R.B. Casey Wins $25 for his nomination of the Theatre name: "Brook".
Two weeks prior to THE opening, the Bound Brook Chronicle noted that The Brook was such an attractive theatre that “It is a question whether there is within the fifty mile metropolitan radius [New York City Broadway Theatres are within 40 miles], one just so attractive. It is comfortable and its appointments are modernly luxurious; its decorations are in exceedingly good taste being Moresque in pattern, and well balanced in the striking colors that go with this. A playhouse with the fine artistic treatment that has been lavished on the Brook must make lasting friends rapidly -- it will have a pull wherever these things are appreciated and this is a splendidly appreciative district in which we live.”
On January 19, 1927, The Brook opened with the following event description:
Bound Brook turned out en masse for the opening of the Brook Theatre on Wednesday evening. Everyone of the thirteen hundred odd seats were occupied and the foyer held another hundred or so who saw the show standing behind the marble balustrade which flanks the row seats in the auditorium.
The large audience thoroughly enjoyed the five acts of vaudeville and the two pictures; and it was admiringly proud of and greatly pleased with the new theatre which Alexander Morecraft built and which Meyer Cohen is managing. Hamilton Street, when the entertainment was concluded, looked like Broadway at eleven o'clock. Cars were parked for blocks in every direction and Chief Nash and his patrolmen had a busy three quarters of an hour in getting the traffic moving homewards.
A special car attached to one of the Jersey Central trains brought a crowd of theatrical folk to the initial performance. They expressed themselves as being surprisingly impressed with Bound Brook's new playhouse; they spoke very highly of the first night's show. Manager Cohen came in for a whirlwind of congratulations which were either offered in person or came by wire. His desk on yesterday morning was stacked with telegrams of good wishes that had been sent by his friends and people friendly to the venture.
The headline in the Courier-News read, “Movie overshadows gloom of Depression.” The article noted that in June 1931, the film “Romance and Bound Brook” had its premiere at the Brook Theater. The movie had 7,500 actors and actresses from Bound Brook in this 7,000-foot mini-extravaganza. “Romance and Bound Brook” was last shown in 1937. The film was given by the producers to town officials for future showings and it apparently burned during the borough hall fire in 1946.
The Theatre closed in early January 1963, when work started on the complete remodeling that was accomplished at a cost over $100,000. Miss Gladys A. Morecraft, the daughter of the late Alexander Morecraft, served as the interior decorator for the renovations. The entire interior was redecorated in white, gold, and honey beige.
The auditorium walls were covered with maroon self-trimmed damask, and the lounge in gold damask. The stage proscenium valance was hemmed satin in festoon design fringed with large gold and silver tassels. A new motion picture screen was installed with a “pearlized” finish with the ability to change the picture size from regular to Cinemascope. New modern equipment was installed in the projection booth and the theatre was equipped with new true-fidelity amplifiers and speakers.
The 900 seats were deluxe loge seats and it was noted that “the New Brook is the most luxurious and most comfortable seated theater in New Jersey.”
Along with Mrs. Alexander Morecraft, the Mayors of Bound Brook, Middlesex, South Bound Brook and Bridgewater participated in the gala re-opening and ceremonial ribbon cutting of the New Brook theatre on Wednesday, March 27, 1963.
On Wednesday, August 21, 1968, the New York Chapter of American Theater Organ Enthusiasts presented a “Roaring Twenties Night” at the Brook Theatre. Featured was Charlie Chaplin’s greatest silent-film “The Gold Rush.” Mr. Art Mosca, of New York City, played the theatre’s “mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.”
The Theatre re-opened on Friday, August 3, 1979. A new lease was assumed from the Morecraft Corporation by the Andy Theater Corporation. Andrew Sullivan of Westfield, New Jersey, was the president of the group and indicated that the theatre would feature only “regular family movies.” The opening night featured the double bill of “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease” for an admission charge of $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for children. The theatre was managed by Howard Steinberg and his wife.
Phil Neri of Piscataway purchased the theatre from the Morecraft family in September 1986. Mr. Neri also managed the Theatre and made an effort to bring live theatre to The Brook at its re-opening on November 15,1986 with a benefit concert for the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. The concert included the performance of four bands.
In December of 1986, the Theatre began running movies on Fridays and Saturday evenings. Mr. Neri attempted to mix in live performances with the movie venue. Jazz Saxophonist Chuck Mangione performed in July of 1988 and Singer, Tony Bennett performed on July 8, 1989.
There was limited activity in the Theatre for five years as a non-profit organization, Somerset County Cultural Arts Center (SCCAC) attempted to acquire Somerset County, New Jersey and Federal grants to purchase the Theatre for an Arts Incubator project.
On September 17, 1999, Bound Brook and the surrounding area were hit by devastating flooding as a result of Hurricane Floyd. The Brook Theatre along with the entire downtown area of Bound Brook was destroyed. It was a devastating blow to the resurgence of the Theatre, but it was not the end for The Brook.
In a major ceremony held on October 25, 2001, Somerset County Cultural Arts Center was awarded a total of $3 Million from Somerset County, New Jersey and Federal Economic Development programs. It provided an opportunity for them to purchase the Theatre and begin the process of restoration and resumption of a source of entertainment venue for the area.
The Somerset County Cultural Arts Center purchased the Theatre and invested $2.3 million in renovation the Theatre’s infrastructure, including a modernized HVAC system and an upgraded electric service. Additionally, the auditorium of the Theatre was reduced in size to a capacity of 350 seats.
Nor’easter Storm Floods The Brook Again (2007) On April 10, 2007, a Nor’easter storm swept through Bound Brook and vicinity and flooded the Theatre once again. The auditorium, electric service and heating system were completely under water and destroyed.
Starting in May 2009, the Somerset County Cultural Arts Center began restoring the BROOK to its original 1927 grandeur and will provide a mixed venue of entertainment to the Tri-State area.
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