Boch Center Releases New Book Honoring 100 Years of the Wang Theatre

The Boch Center is commemorating a century of Boston theater history with a new hardcover book celebrating the Wang Theatre’s 100th anniversary. The book, released this week, captures the story of one of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks through more than 230 pages of archival photography, essays, and historical highlights.

The Wang Theatre, which first opened in 1925 as the Metropolitan Theatre, has long been a cornerstone of Boston’s performing arts scene. The new volume marks a major milestone for the venue, offering readers a detailed look at its evolution—from its early years showing silent films to its rebirth as a home for world-class performance and community events.

The commemorative edition was created by the Boch Center to coincide with the theatre’s centennial celebrations. Featuring editorial work from J. Casey Soward, Matthew Pacific, and Paige Besse, the book explores the theatre’s artistic significance and its lasting influence on Boston’s cultural life. Soward, who serves as President and CEO of the Boch Center, said the project was designed to honor the artists, audiences, and supporters who have helped sustain the venue for generations.

Originally envisioned by developer Max Shoolman and architect Clarence Blackall, the theatre was once dubbed a “cathedral of the motion picture” for its grandeur and 3,600-seat capacity—one of the largest in the country at the time. Through the decades, the theatre adapted to shifts in entertainment trends, operating under different names such as the Music Hall before facing possible closure in the late 20th century.

A major turning point came when local arts advocates and philanthropists rallied to save the building. Among them was Dr. An Wang, founder of Wang Laboratories, whose support helped secure the theatre’s restoration and new identity under the Wang Theatre name. The renovations revitalized the venue, preserving its historic character while modernizing its facilities for a new generation of audiences.

Today, the Wang Theatre is part of the Boch Center, a nonprofit organization that also oversees the Shubert Theatre and supports arts education and cultural programming throughout Greater Boston. Since 2016, a partnership with the Boch Family has continued to sustain the theatre’s mission and legacy as a home for live performance and community connection.

The centennial book is available for $40 through bochcenter.org, with options for shipping or theatre pickup. Proceeds benefit the Boch Center’s ongoing nonprofit initiatives, including educational programs and community outreach.

For Boston’s theatre lovers, the release serves as both a keepsake and a reminder of the city’s vibrant artistic roots—a celebration of 100 years of curtain calls at one of its most storied stages.