When it opened in October of 1925, today’s Wang Theatre was deemed the “last word in size, beauty and convenience” by The Boston Globe — a cavernous movie palace that drew an estimated 133,000 people in its first nine days.
Casey Soward, president and chief executive of the Boch Center, which operates the Wang and Shubert theaters, said the nonprofit is rolling out a host of programs this year to mark the centenary anniversary of the Wang. Meanwhile, Soward and board member Ernie Boch Jr. announced a 10-year extension of Boch’s naming rights sponsorship for the performing arts center.
“He has agreed to continue the sponsorship for an additional 10 years, through 2036,” said Soward, who valued the sponsorship at “about $12.5 million” over its decade-long term. “We’re really embracing our 100th anniversary on all fronts.”
Boch, who’s owned numerous car dealerships over the years, said he’d always loved the Wang. He recalled that he saw his first concert there (Cat Stevens) and later slept on the sidewalk for Deep Purple tickets.
“I kind of get a little nostalgic for that theater,” said Boch, who first began his sponsorship in 2016 after the center’s previous sponsor, Citigroup, abruptly ended the partnership.
Boch added that he admires how the performing arts center has evolved, launching the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame in 2019, while continuing to provide educational programs for kids.
But the past five years, he said, were pivotal, as his relationship to the theater deepened.
“I decided to re-up because we went through COVID with that theater,” said Boch, recalling the pandemic-era lockdowns. “That was touch and go. That was emotional. It’s like having a friend sick in the hospital, and they survived. There was extreme bonding there.”
Soward, who joined the Boch Center last fall, called Boch “a very generous guy,” adding that a portion of his sponsorship will go “directly to fund education.”
“That’s something he’s very passionate about,” said Soward, adding that Boch started Music Drives Us, a nonprofit that supports music education. “He has a great mission around education and music.”
Though today it’s known as the Wang Theatre, the playhouse started life as the Metropolitan Theatre, one of largest movie theaters in the country. It was renamed the Music Hall in 1962, when it became home to Boston Ballet and host to a mix of dance, opera, film, and other performances. The theater, which became a nonprofit in 1980, was later rechristened the Wang in honor of Dr. An Wang, whose sizable gift galvanized the philanthropic community to fund extensive renovations.
Soward said the Boch Center is planning a variety of programs over the next year to celebrate the Wang’s 100th birthday, including movies, concerts, and an open house. The Boch Center is also launching a year-long initiative called “100 Acts of Kindness” that will feature giveaways, complimentary ticket upgrades, and the chance for patrons to be featured on the theater’s marquee, among other things.
Soward added that the movie screenings, which start Valentine’s Day weekend, will be pay-what-you want. He said it will take the erstwhile moviehouse “back to our roots,” featuring a slate of movies with local ties, including “Good Will Hunting,” “Legally Blonde,” and “The Departed.”
The Boch Center will also host an open house later this year, which Soward said will likely include live performances, special guests, and will spotlight the center’s education programs.
“We will also be announcing some major concerts with some major artists,” said Soward. “Some of them are iconic artists that have played here throughout the decades that will be announced throughout the year.”
He added that the Folk Hall of Fame is also planning to open new exhibitions this year, including one on Joan Baez’s career and activism, and another on the late Levon Helm, formerly of The Band.
“People have been so generous to keep us in business for 100 years,” he said. “A lot of it’s just going to be about giving back.”
Malcolm Gay can be reached at malcolm.gay@globe.com.