Union County Performing Arts Center

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), formerly the "movie palace" known as the Rahway Theatre, is a non-profit performance venue in Rahway, New Jersey, a small city west of Staten Island that was recently named "#2 Best Small Town Arts Scene" in the country by USA Today.[2] As of the early 2020s, downtown Rahway has become a regional hub in the performing and visual arts.[3] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[4]

Rahway Theatre
Facade of the Rahway Theatre
Union County Performing Arts Center is located in Union County, New Jersey
Union County Performing Arts Center
Union County Performing Arts Center is located in New Jersey
Union County Performing Arts Center
Union County Performing Arts Center is located in the United States
Union County Performing Arts Center
Location1601 Irving St., Rahway, New Jersey
Coordinates40°36′37″N 74°16′39″W
Built1927 (1927)
ArchitectDavid M Oltarsh
Architectural styleClassical Revival
Websitewww.ucpac.org
NRHP reference No.86001509
NJRHP No.2714[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 13, 1986
Designated NJRHPJune 24, 1986
Panorama of the Hamilton Stage complex at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway
Box office at the Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts at UCPAC in Rahway


History

It was founded as the vaudeville venue and silent movie house Rahway Theater in 1928 as an ornate movie palace.[5] It contains an original, working, fully restored[6] Wurlitzer pipe organ which was placed on the American Theatre Organ Society's National Registry of Significant Instruments.[7] It is an example of "Movie Palace" architecture, designed in the classical revival style by New York architect David M. Oltarsh.

In 2006, at the behest of Rahway's then-mayor James J. Kennedy, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invested $6.2 million in the renovation of the UCPAC Mainstage (Rahway Theater). The building fell into dilapidation as a movie house in the 1970s. It was reopened by local nonprofit preservation group in 1984,[8] and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Facilities

The UCPAC campus includes four performance spaces:

Mainstage

Capacity: 1334

Hamilton Stage

Built in 2012 abutting the Rahway River several hundred feet to the west of Mainstage, the Hamilton Stage features a new fully equipped proscenium theater.

Capacity: 199

The Loft at Mainstage

Capacity: 65. Built in 2008, the Loft at UCPAC is located on the 2nd floor addition of the UCPAC Mainstage.

The Fazioli Room at Hamilton Stage

This 40’ x 60’ rehearsal space has floor-to-ceiling conservatory windows and wall-length mirrors on one side. It holds 55–75 (at maximum).

This room contains a Fazioli piano, one of only two in New Jersey.[9]

The Café at UCPAC

Hosts the Jazz Club at UCPAC.

Programming

Well-known music and comedy acts have included Johnny Cash, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Joan Jett, Joan Rivers, Louie Anderson, Sinbad, Cedric the Entertainer, Pat Benatar, Kenny Rogers, Lance Bass, Eddie Money, En Vogue, Starship, Otown, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera, Bowling for Soup, Vanessa Williams,[10] Doug E. Fresh, Mark McGrath and Slick Rick.[11][12]

Film

The Main Stage at UCPAC in Rahway, as a former "classic movie palace," is the only New Jersey theater showing classic 35mm films, generally preceded by organ performances on the venue's original Wurlitzer theater organ.[13]

Rahway Arts District

The UCPAC area hosts many art galleries, converted industrial warehouse spaces, and rehearsal/studio space. In 2020, downtown Rahway received accolades as a Great Downtown by the APA:

"Downtown Rahway is a great place. It is a place that emphasizes livability, walkability, shopping, food, art, diversity and a destination. Centered in the heart of the bustling City of Rahway, next to the NJ Transit Station, Rahway's downtown is the building block for this diverse city."[14]

The Willows Residence for the Arts

The city of Rahway and UCPAC in association with the Actors Fund has built safe affordable housing for artists only. Tenant applicants need to submit a portfolio of work to indicate their vocation and be assigned to a waitlist.[15]

Transportation

UCPAC is walking distance to the direct train at Rahway Station to New York Penn Station. The ride is 38 minutes.

References
  1. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Union County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Historic Preservation Office. November 28, 2016. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2014. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  2. "16 Free Outdoor Art Events In Rahway This Summer". NewJerseyStage.com. 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  3. NJ.com, Brianna Kudisch | NJ Advance Media for (2020-02-15). "This small N.J. city has been quietly reinventing itself into an arts hub". nj. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  4. "NATIONAL REGISTER DIGITAL ASSETS". focus.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  5. 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ that 'saved' Union County arts center plays again http://s.nj.com/YcwCJSU.
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHfgA6dVUcQ&sns=tw via @youtube
  7. "ATOS National Registry | ATOS". www.atos.org. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  8. "Freeholders Unveil Arts Center".
  9. At a Jazz Series, a Piano Also Stars https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/nyregion/at-a-nj-jazz-series-a-fazioli-piano-also-stars.html
  10. Union County Performing Arts Center welcomes Vanessa Williams on Nov. 25 http://s.nj.com/YIqoRVN
  11. Hip-hop legends will 'Get Fresh' at UCPAC in Rahway on May 15 http://s.nj.com/wkeIpQg
  12. Cranford Local Magazine. UCPAC Ready to Expand Shows Post-Pandemic: New Leadership Sees Promising Times Ahead. April 2022 https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10027841_558050
  13. "35mm Classic Film Series -". ucpac.org. August 3, 2023.
  14. "Congratulations to our 2020 Great Places in New Jersey Designees | Great Places in New Jersey". Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  15. "Artist housing gains final site plan approval". 21 March 2016.
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