The Boch Center Wang Theatre 100th Anniversary
We are thrilled to announce the 100th Anniversary of the historic Wang Theatre! Over the past century, this landmark has served as a beacon for the arts, creating unforgettable moments for artists and audiences alike.
To commence the celebration, Ernie Boch, Jr. announced a ten-year extension of his commitment to the theatre, through 2036, marking a transformational moment in the theatre’s centennial celebration.
Exciting Yearlong Initiatives Include:
- 100 Acts of Kindness: Giveaways, complimentary ticket upgrades, marquee nominations, and more!
- Century Cinema Series: Beloved films celebrating Boston’s role in movie history.
- Special Performances & Exhibits: Explore open houses and the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame exhibits.
This anniversary is a celebration of the Wang Theatre’s remarkable journey—from its 1925 debut as The Metropolitan Theatre to its preservation as a cultural gem. Today, the theatre stands as a cornerstone of Boston’s arts and cultural community, hosting world-class performances and events.
Join us in honoring this incredible legacy and looking toward an exciting future.
We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you!
100 Acts of Kindness
Check out our completed Acts of Kindness from this year:
January
- 10 ticket upgrades at Dancing With The Stars
February
- 19 free school busses for classrooms to attend World Real Aloud Day at the Shubert Theatre
- 52 free books for each classroom at World Read Aloud Day
- 10 ticket upgrades at Nikki Glaser comedy show
- 2 Valentine's Day giveaway winners of a Legal Sea Foods gift card & gift basket at our Century Cinema Series event
- Century Cinema Series: a free four day community event featuring 6 movies at the Wang Theatre!
March
- 10 ticket upgrades at Taylor Tomlinson comedy show
- 10 ticket upgrades at Alton Brown show
- 10 ticket upgrades at Addams Family musical
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for March - feature on our Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
- 100 Care Packages donated to Rosie's Place community center
April
- 6 ticket upgrades at Alvin Ailey
- 6 Air Lingus flight giveaway with Riverdance performances
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for April - feature on our Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
- 4 free tickets to Riverdance for Local Hero Nominee/Winner
May
- 10 ticket upgrades to Gillian Welch
- 10 ticket upgrades to Jay Shetty
- 10 ticket upgrades to Los Tigres del Norte
- 1 Mother's Day giveaway package for 4 tickets to Gillian Welch & 1 Legal Sea Foods restaurant gift card
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for May - feature on our Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
June
- 6 staff volunteers attended the Boston Pride Parade
- 10 ticket upgrades at La La Land In Concert
- 10 ticket upgrades at Sarah Millican comedy show
- 4 giveaway tickets to The Joe Perry Project courtesy of Music Drives Us
- 4 free tickets to La La Land for Local Hero Nominee/Winner
July
- 10 ticket upgrades at Richard Blade
August
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for August - feature on our Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
September
- 1 school supply donation for Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School in East Boston
- 10 gift card donations for school food pantry at Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School in East Boston
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for September - feature on our Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
October
- 4 free tickets to David Byrne for Local Hero Nominee/Winner
- Free busses for classrooms at International Dot Day event at the Shubert Theatre
- Wang Theatre 100th Open House celebration October 19 - giveaways, workshops, stage photo booth, family activities
- 1 planter installed for classroom at Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School in East Boston
- 10 ticket upgrades at Leanne Morgan comedy show
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for September - feature on the Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
November
- 4 free tickets to David Byrne for Local Hero Nominee/Winner
- 1 Local Hero Nomination for November - feature on the Wang Theatre marquee, newsletter and social media channels
As part of this special milestone, we’re shining a spotlight on the local heroes who make a difference every day. Know someone who deserves recognition for their kindness and impact? Share their story with us below and tell us how they’ve helped uplift our community.
Nominate someone for an Act of Kindness for a chance to be featured on our Wang Theatre marquee and be entered to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming event!
Behind the Curtain: A Community Celebration
Sunday, October 19 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Join us for a free, family-friendly Open House celebrating the Wang Theatre’s 100th birthday! Explore the historic theatre with guided activities for all ages including dance workshops, instrument-making, photo ops on stage, food trucks, scavenger hunts, live performances in the lobby, and more.
Come celebrate a century of entertainment, education, and community!
Support Us
We believe that the arts can change lives, and our donors do too. Donations to the Boch Center help us to reach thousands of youth and families in underserved communities through our city-wide education and community outreach programs.
In addition to making a difference in the community, donations help to maintain and preserve our historic theaters so generations can enjoy the arts for years to come.
Century Cinema Series: Lights, Camera, Boston!
Free Event
This free community event features four days of beloved films, highlighting favorite titles celebrating Boston’s role in movie history. Experience the magic of cinema where it all began—The Metropolitan Theatre, now the Wang Theatre, which opened its doors as a grand movie palace in 1925. Let’s commemorate a century of entertainment, community, and Boston’s lasting place in the spotlight.