McCarter at 75

Princeton NJ -- From its origins in 1930 as a playhouse for Princeton’s Triangle Club up through its role today as a major cultural institution featuring diverse programming, McCarter Theatre has played an important part in the history of the University and the community.

The McCarter Theatre Center is celebrating its 75th anniversary this spring with a gala benefit on Saturday, April 16, and with the publication of a book.

The benefit, scheduled for 8 p.m. at the theater, will star comedian Lily Tomlin and showcase an original documentary film narrated by actor John Lithgow. Tickets are available through the box office at 258-2787 or <www.mccarter.org>.

The book, “McCarter Theatre Center: Celebrating 75 Years,” was written by McCarter Special Programming Director William W. Lockwood Jr. Emphasizing the dramatic transformation that the theater has undergone, it features the images shown here and many others that document McCarter’s rich history.

“Imagine Princeton without McCarter Theatre,” said Emily Mann, artistic director at McCarter since 1990. “For the past 75 years McCarter has enhanced the cultural life of both the University and local communities as well as the state of New Jersey. We’re proud to have such a distinguished history of presenting world-class artists in theater, music and dance to one of the most sophisticated audiences in the country.

“Throughout its many years McCarter’s history has always been intertwined with that of the University’s, however in recent years that partnership has blossomed even further,” she said. “We’ve ensured student participation by making discounted tickets available and by introducing McCarter artists to students in the Program in Theater and Dance. The Triangle Club presents its annual original show on the McCarter stage and, of course, the crowning achievement [was] the opening [in 2003] of the Roger S. Berlind Theatre, a joint venture between McCarter and Princeton University.”

McCarter at 75

1928--Groundbreaking for the new theater (top right) takes place.
1938--Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” premieres at McCarter.
1940--Paul Robeson performs in McCarter’s first season of summer theater.
1955--Marcel Marceau (top middle) makes the first of many appearances on the McCarter stage.
1964--Dustin Hoffman (bottom middle) stars in “Three Men on a Horse.”
1971--A Grateful Dead concert co-sponsored by McCarter lasts four hours.
1986--Brooke Shields ’87 (bottom left) appears in the Triangle Club show, “Star Spangled Banter.”
1994--Artistic Director Emily Mann (bottom right, in black) holds the Tony Award McCarter won for outstanding regional theater.
2003--The Roger S. Berlind Theatre opens with Jimmy Smits (top left) in Nilo Cruz’s “Anna in the Tropics.”