Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Information

The Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre (The Hackensack) is a part of The Count Basie Center for the Arts. The facility is a landmarked performing arts center based in Red Bank, Monmouth County, New Jersey that was opened as “The Carlton Theater” in 1926. At the time, the venue served the community as a hosting performance space for local and touring productions. The venue was later rebranded as the “Monmouth Arts Center” in 1973 and later the “Count Basie Theatre” in 1984 to honor famous Red Bank native William “Count” Basie. 

The venue was designed by William Lehman with a seating capacity of 1,568 patrons. It represented a vision of supporting the arts, which was best represented by the 2018 name change to the Count Basie Center for the Arts. It was focused on honoring their native artists and supporting the artistic endeavors of the community with a rich and comfortable space to display the talent that may not have had a venue in other cities or states.

The center’s theatre, currently named the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, was named after naming rights were purchased in 2018. The theatre was famous for hosting several famous performances and performers including Count Basie, James Brown, Tony Bennett, Al Green, George Carlin, Counting Crows, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Jon Stewart.

The venue has also hosted guest appearances by Jersey Shore legend Bruce Springsteen and rock legend Jon Bon Jovi who attended and organized several charity concerts at the venue. The venue is also known as being one of the most common performance spaces for The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. 

It’s easy to see why The Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and the Arts Center that contains it are so important to New Jersey residents. It’s a central hub for great performances from the incredible musical talent that has come from the state and is a common destination for comedic performances and dramatic stage shows across the country.

Venue history

Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre has a long history that dates back to the 1920s. It has been an important piece of the cultural landscape of New Jersey for the best part of 100 years and will likely remain where it is for years to come. 

The theatre was first opened in 1926 as part of the Count Basie Center for the Arts. This was a wider project aimed at creating a new performing arts facility in Red Bank. Its construction was made possible by large donations from a series of local benefactors. The theatre was designed by architect William E. Lehman, who gave it a classic architectural style. 

Internally, the theatre is spacious and has been designed to have incredible acoustics. This has made it a top choice for any performer hoping to put on a show in New Jersey. 

Some of the most notable productions that have visited the theatre include shows like “Les Misérables,” and “Rent,” as well as concerts by renowned artists such as Tony Bennett and Diana Krall. The venue has also become a central location for local community events and student performances. This community support helps to provide opportunities for young artists to showcase their talents and thrive.

Today, the theatre continues to receive occasional renovations to ensure it remains a cutting-edge performance venue. Some recent improvements include seating and backstage facilities, ensuring the theatre continues to meet the standards of modern productions. 

For more information on the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center see the pages below:

Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Parking:
For parking information and satellite navigation tips for the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre.

Ticket Policies:
For ticket guarantees, ticket verification and refund policies.

Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Seating Chart:
For Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center seating map and seating information.