Cabot's 100th Celebration Goes Virtual In December

BEVERLY, MA —A historic theater closed to the public for the past seven months will come alive once again with performances in December.

Only fans of the Cabot Street Cinema Theater will have to enjoy those performances virtually as the "Lights. Camera. Cabot. Here's To The Next 100" centennial event moves to a virtual celebration due to coronavirus health crisis restrictions.

The Cabot announced on Friday the event, which will include "a mix of regionally and nationally known A-list musicians" and some performances from the main theater stage, will be livestreamed for free.

"While we are deeply saddened that we cannot come together in person to celebrate our 100th anniversary, we are excited to be able to test our new technologies that can still bring us together as we adapt to this new environment for live entertainment," said J. Casey Soward, Executive Director of The Cabot. "The Cabot began during the flu pandemic of 1918 and we're emerging into our next century in the midst of another pandemic.

"I think it is a true testament to the love and support we've received from the community that we've stood strong since our reopening in 2014; and that we're still here, and we're not going anywhere."

Soward told Patch in September that opening the theater for movies was not practical given the state's indoor capacity restrictions, and that indoor singing performances are also prohibited. In an effort to provide some arts and music to the North Shore community, the Cabot has partnered with Hale Farm to offer "The Porch Sessions" with intimate-venue outdoor shows from artists such as Livingston Taylor and Jon Butcher.

The Cabot 100 celebration will include the unveiling of the renovated main lobby named after late Chairman Emeritus Steve Dodge, who died in January 2019.

Reservations for the free centennial celebration show can be made here.

Those watching the show will have the opportunity to purchase a specialty cocktail kit to be delivered to their homes for a toast during the celebration. Each cocktail kit has been named after one of the five founders — Henry Bertolon, Bill Howard, Rich Marino, Thad Siemasko and Paul Van Ness — who bought the historic theater in 2014.

Each cocktail kit will include ingredients and glassware. A non-alcoholic version of the specialty cocktail will be available.

"Everyone is invited to join in on this celebration on this very special milestone, perfectly timed with the completion of our historic lobby, which has not been seen by the public in over 50 years," Soward said. "The Cabot is truly a piece of shared history with our North Shore community, and it wouldn't be possible without them

"The show will go on!"

Related Patch Coverage: Cabot Theater Gets Creative As Venues Struggle Through Pandemic

The Cabot Announces Big Names For Beverly Fall 'Porch Sessions'