A hush falls over the crowd. The Cutler Majestic Theatre stands before us a beacon of history and artistry. Its grandeur is almost overwhelming.
Picture this majestic building in 1903. The Cutler Majestic Theatre then known simply as the Majestic Theatre opened its doors. The Boston Globe declared it “the most beautiful playhouse Boston has yet seen”. Its Beaux-Arts design by John Galen Howard was breathtaking. Inside ornate Rococo interiors shimmered under the glow of 5000 electric light bulbs a dazzling spectacle for its time. This was revolutionary. The Majestic was the first theatre in Boston to use electric lights not gas.
The opening night featured “The Storks” a light musical comedy. Isabella Stewart Gardner a renowned art collector was in attendance. The production ran for five months. This solidified Boston’s place alongside New York and Chicago as major theatrical hubs. Producers even started using the Majestic as a test theatre. They gauged Boston audiences’ reactions before deciding if Broadway was worth the risk. A practice that continues to this day.
For years vaudeville ruled the stage. Legends like Burns and Allen the Marx Brothers and Harry Houdini graced the Cutler Majestic’s boards. Then in the 1950s movies took over. The theatre’s splendor was hidden. The balcony was closed. The lobby was repainted to look like an ordinary movie house. The facade was covered. The Cutler Majestic’s majesty was gone.
But the story doesn’t end there. Emerson College acquired the dilapidated theatre in 1983. A meticulous restoration began. The Cutler Majestic’s original grandeur was painstakingly revived. State-of-the-art technology was added. The renovation was finally completed in 2003 the theatre’s centennial. The theatre was renamed the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College. Ted and Joan Bernard-Cutler who funded the final restoration phases were honored.
Today the Cutler Majestic Theatre continues to thrive. It hosts a vibrant array of performances. Opera Boston called it home for years. The Boston Asian American Film Festival is held here. World-class musicians and performers take the stage. The theatre’s eclectic programming from traditional to avant-garde reflects its rich history and its forward-looking spirit. A testament to its enduring power. The Cutler Majestic Theatre stands as a symbol of Boston’s vibrant cultural landscape. A true jewel that continues to shine.