Folk Americana Roots, Springsteen exhibit…

    My visit to the Wang Theater in Boston on Nov. 19th is best portrayed in the short video attached below. The reason was to see the Bruce Springsteen photo exhibit by various photographers. It turns out the theater is as interesting as my love for Springsteen.  Going into the exhibit I didn’t see the potential of a Story Behind, whether I’m slow on the uptake, or my mind is fluid and always looking to create something, the reason lies somewhere in that context. I’ll go with the latter, that is the main reason for the stories, always searching to create something photography related.

    About a dozen people showed up @ noon for a 2 hour time slot to tour the photos. Our terrific tour guide, a local college student named Vicenta quickly turned the afternoon into a fascinating behind the scenes look filled with anecdotes of past performances and artists. It soon became apparent the underlying purpose was to share the history and evolution of the Wang Theater. Twenty minutes into the tour and not yet seen the Springsteen photos I thought there is a video waiting to happen by the end. So I began thinking about the lyrics in various Springsteen tunes to be the soundtrack for the developing video. The very last image in the attached short video was the clear direction in what song would be my choice, one of my top 5 Springsteen tunes ! All images made with IPhone 14 Pro and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop 2024

Fun Facts about the Wang Theater

• Theater opened in 1925 as the Metropolitan Theater w/ 4000 seats
• Ticket prices were $ .25 and $ .75 cents for expensive seats
• Later renamed The Music Hall as majority of acts were Music based
• Tobacco smoke was so prevalent all ceiling frescos were damaged
• Theater closed in 1980 for renovations
• $10 million dollars was raised, theater reopened in 1983
• Dr. An Wang and wife donated $4 Million
• Theater renamed in honor of the Wangs, their portraits are in video
• 2 ceiling frescos were damaged beyond repair
• Left side Fresco closest to the stage was recreated exactly except…
  • the man’s face is retired president Joe Spaulding, Red Arrow in video
• Left side Fresco furthest from the stage was recreated exactly except…
  • the faces were those of the restoration artists
• Theater reopened with 3500 seats and 100 seat orchestra section
• Theater “Ghost Light” is on 24/7, edge of the stage, Red Arrow in video
• Renovated stage now 109′ deep, 127′ wide 94′ high accommodating modern Rock bands
• Wang Lobby used in movie Witches of Eastwick where Jack Nicholson’s character lived
• Patriots Day movie premiere @ the Wang December 2016, David Ortiz in attendance
• Numerous Christmas specials have taken place with interesting anecdotes 
• 10 small Dressing Rooms and one Living Room size main Dressing Room
• Mariah Carey Xmas Special, requested her Dressing room walls & carpet be all White
• Yul Brynner’s Dressing room was painted 3 times for correct color Brown
• Jerry Seinfeld performed last month, requested only cold drinks & NY style Pizza
• Scores of music acts including, Sinatra, Joplin, Clapton, Bowie, Queen, AeroSmith, Pink Floyd, 
• Springsteen performed 10 times & Grateful Dead 15 times @ the Wang Theater