The Basie Named #1 Performing Arts Theater in NJ

The Count Basie Theatre finished 2016 as the top ticket selling theater venue in our state!Congrats to all of our friends at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on this fantastic achievement!

This tally was released by Pollstar, the official publication of the live events and concert touring industry. Nearly 225,000 tickets were sold at The Basie last year -- enough to rank this historic landmark as the 24th best ticket-selling venue of its size WORLDWIDE!

Adam Philipson, who is the President and CEO of Count Basie theatre, says that only the Theatre At Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theater, and Radio City Music Hall sold more tickets in our metro area last year.

Adam considers that quite a feat and considers existing alongside those venues and to rank as our state's best-seller to be an honor.

And this status makes The Basie's presence as a leader in the field of performing arts and arts education stronger than ever, according to Jonathan Vena, the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Jon says that more people enjoyed Count Basie Theatre offerings last year than in any previous year in The Basie's history!

The Count Basie Theatre, a nonprofit organization, is celebrating it's 90th anniversary and is halfway through a $20 million campaign to grow their arts education and outreach programs, along with adding a second performance space, and modernizing the facilities to create a state-of-the-art experience for artists and patrons alike. Additional improvements to the stage and backstage areas will continue to attract world-class talent for years to come.

The Count Basie Theatre's primary mission is to serve the people of our state by providing quality entertainment and education programs of all kinds, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the power of the performing arts, create opportunities for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels, and to honor the memory of Red Bank native and renowned jazz pianist William James "Count" Basie.

The County Basie Theatre has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Tony Bennett, and Ariana Grande. We were happy to be a part of this great non-profit recently when The Point hosted our first full day "Giving Tuesday Radiothon" this past November.

My son is also a part of one of the the Performing Arts program they offer (he's in the Jazz Academy) and we are so impressed with the quality of this great program! Parents: I highly recommend looking into these great programs for your kids! CLICK HERE for details.