Count Basie Center to Open Historic Theater

Live music returns to the Count Basie Center for the Arts with the reopening of Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, employing an elevated flooring platform which will allow patrons to sit at seated, socially-distant tables and enjoy performances in the Red Bank Center’s 94-year old historic venue.

The theater–which has lost $8 million for 8 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to CEO/President Adam Philipson— will host its first performance in the Pop-Up Stage configuration will be local artist Chris Pinnella on Saturday, Dec. 19. 

“When Governor Murphy announced in October that performance venues could reopen, we immediately started to think of the safest, most economical way to present performances in our historic theater,” said Adam Philipson, President / CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The “Pop-Up Stage” configuration is a cool and unique set-up we’ve used at galas, but more importantly, it allows us to achieve the distancing measures we’ve found to be key in the success of presenting shows next door at The Vogel.

he venue’s new Pop-Up Stage configuration extends the length of the theater stage nearly halfway across the room, providing the space necessary to seat up to 150 patrons at cabaret-style tables. Like the Basie Center’s new performance space, The Vogel, Pop-Up Stage performances will be presented with strict COVID-19 safety measures in place:

• Shows will be seated with tables sold in “Table For Two,” “Table For Four” and “Table For Six” configurations only.
• Tables will be positioned 6’ apart, with the front row of tables 12’ from the performers.
• Only 150 seats will be available for performances at this time.
• Drinks and concessions will be sold table-side; i.e.: no lining up at bars.
• Patrons must wear masks at all times while inside the theater, except when actively eating or drinking.
• Patrons are expected to abide by social distancing norms.
• Temperatures will be taken at the door. Patrons with a body temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be permitted to enter. A refund will be issued.
• Fans must remain seated at their purchased table, unless using the restroom or exiting.
• There is no re-entry.
• For nights with two shows, entry for the second show will begin once the previous crowd is cleared and the venue is cleaned / sanitized.
• For late shows, New Jersey mandates bar service must cease at 10pm. Last call will be 9:45pm.
• Tables will not be permitted to be split and resold. Patrons holding resold tickets will be denied entry and refunds will not be offered.
• Patrons will be required to remain seated, unless getting up to leave or use restrooms.
• Restrooms will be limited to two (2) patrons at a time.
• Tables will not be permitted to be split and resold. Patrons holding resold tickets will be denied entry and refunds will not be offered.
• These events will utilize Ticketmaster’s touch-less, mobile entry system. No paper tickets will be accepted.
• Patrons will be required to remain seated, unless getting up to leave or use restrooms.
• Venue security will enforce ground rules, which will follow current CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines for indoor events.