(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Bell Works, the Eero Saarinen-designed former Bell Labs campus and the country's first 'metroburb' – a self-contained metropolis in suburbia – has announced the grand opening of Bell Theater – the property's new home for outstanding cultural and arts programming, including professional theater, dance, concerts and films.
Already a hub of business and community gatherings, the metroburb will become a cultural beacon for the state featuring intimate concerts and innovative productions of new and classic musicals, plays, and dance pieces. A full schedule of upcoming programming for the Bell Theater can be found here.
The world premiere of new rock musical, East Carson Street, will run from May 3-12, starring Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages) and Teal Wicks (Wicked) with music by Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky.
A grand opening weekend for the Bell Theater begins Thursday, May 16 with “Let’s Go to Rio!” starring Brazilian singer Alexia Bomtempo and featuring jazz pianist Dr. Art Topilow and vocalist/saxophonist Danny Bacher. On Friday, May 17, Broadway star LaChanze (The Color Purple, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Once on This Island) performs her new show of Broadway, pop, and standards along with her trio. On Saturday, May 18, Michael Cavanaugh, the star of Broadway’s Billy Joel musical Movin’ Out, will perform the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John along with his quartet. On Sunday, May 19, the Weeklings debut their BeatlesBash, complete with The Horn and Strings Orchestra.
Future events at Bell Theater include Million Dollar Quartet, directed by original Broadway cast member Hunter Foster in July; monthly standup comedy nights; a Broadway series featuring SiriusXM Host Seth Rudetsky and special guests; concert performances by Andrea McArdle, Lorna Luft, John Lloyd Young, and Christine Andreas, as well as jazz and rock groups, and family entertainment.
“The reincarnation of the historical Bell Labs into Bell Works is one of my proudest achievements,” said Ralph Zucker, Founder and CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development. “As Bell Works continues to shine as one of New Jersey’s most unique destinations, we look forward to this most exciting stage: the opening of the new Bell Theater. The arts at Bell Works will expand our outreach and community engagement. We look forward to welcoming music, art and theater lovers to our Metroburb.”
"Art, music, history, dance, and innovation push me to create and it is my sole mission to cultivate a community that has a similar curiosity and appreciation for arts and culture,” said Paola Zamudio, Creative Director & Lead Designer of Bell Works. “It is important to make the arts accessible, and what better place than Bell Works to be a hub? We are thrilled to bring Bell Theater to the metroburb. I look forward to seeing the future activations here be the driving force to inspire others, as that is what Bell Works thrives on."
“We are delighted to be joining forces with Bell Works to open the new Bell Theater,” said Andrew DePrisco, Executive Artistic Director of Bell Theater. “Having a new state-of-the-art venue where we can present concerts, musicals, plays, dance events and so much more is incredibly exciting for central New Jersey. We look forward to welcoming Broadway artists including LaChanze, Sierra Boggess, Andrea McArdle, John Lloyd Young, Adam Pascal and many more, as well as presenting Bell Comedy Nights, jazz artists, dance companies and the best of the local rock scene.”
The development of the Bell Theater was made possible by a generous donation from Sheldon and Anne Vogel – who are well known for their commitment to growing artistic programming throughout New Jersey. Additionally, this realization of Bell Theater has been accomplished through financial assistance from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts in cooperation with and administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust.
Students at the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy located at Bell Works studying dance, musical theater, film acting and more, will enjoy opportunities to perform on the stage in showcases and small productions.
The Bell Theater Advisory Council includes: Chair Edward McNamee, Marketing Liaison Thomas Ryan Ward, Greg Buontempo, Tara Torchia Buss, Bob Considine, Vinnie Favale, David and Mary Graham, Dan Grossman, Dan Hlavaty, Dr. Louis Iorio, Alfons Kaso, Pearl Lee, Dr. Louis Lorio, Larry Luttrell, Larry Murphy, Brian Smiga, Christine Cox-West, David West and Jo Wymer.
The Executive Committee Includes: President Dr. Art Topilow, VP Legal Counsel James Aaron, Executive Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco, Development Director & Founding CEO Jess Levy, Director of Axelrod Performing Arts Academy Mary-Kate Schmidt, Ira Kreizman, Bobbi Krantz, Robert Mack, Edward McNamee and Burt Szerlip.
Membership Opportunities
There are opportunities to support Bell Theater through various membership options.
* Individual Member Opportunities: Members of Bell Theater receive special invitations to receptions and one-night-only performances as well as workshops and rehearsals where they can meet visiting artists. Annual Membership Gifts begin at $250 per year.
* Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities: Corporate Sponsors are available annually and for participating events/productions. Supporting organizations receive digital and print exposure in all marketing and advertising, special tickets and passes for employees, and more. Corporate Sponsorships begin at $500 per year or event.
* Make a Pledge or Security Transfer: Multi-year pledges (2 or more years) enable donors to make a more significant investment than might be possible in a one-time gift. Bell Theater pledge option provides the opportunity to create a fund that will leave a more permanent legacy. Transferring securities allows donors to make a gift and receive a charitable deduction equal to the full fair market value of the securities. Contact Development Director Jess Levy at jlevy@axelrodartscenter.com
* APAA Scholarships: Donations to support the Academy’s free workshops for local high school students as well as to fund scholarships to assist students in need help the Academy to achieve its goal of bringing the arts to our whole community and conducting outreach to the underserved among us.
Inspired by Somerset Development is a leading real estate developer focusing on large-scale transit-oriented and brownfield redevelopment projects, led by a team of principals with more than 40 years of development experience. The company has positioned itself as one of the nation’s foremost real estate firms specializing in innovative mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects, including the planning and development of Traditional Neighborhood Design communities that evoke a strong sense of place and reflect a distinctive character.
With several high-profile, large-scale redevelopment and development projects under construction or in the planning stages, Inspired has earned a quality reputation for its unwavering commitment to excellence through responsible development practices.
Bell Works New Jersey is the nation’s first ‘metroburb’ – a self-contained metropolis in suburbia. Previously known as Bell Labs and utilized by AT&T to develop the Commercial Cellular Network, today the 2M square foot Eero Saarinen-designed office campus is considered one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. Undergoing a remarkable transformation, it has become a one-of-a-kind destination for business and culture, with a blossoming ecosystem of technology, traditional offices, retail, dining and hospitality.
