Hackensack Meridian Acquires Naming Rights At Count Basie

RED BANK, NJ — It may always just be the "Count Basie" to you, but as of this past Friday, the main stage at the Count Basie Center for the Arts is now the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre.

Count Basie would not disclose how much Hackensack Meridian paid to obtain the naming rights at the main theater.

"As a privately-owned non-profit, the Count Basie never discloses the amount of donations we receive," said Jon Vena, the vice president of marketing and publicity for the Count Basie.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts is currently in the midst of an unprecedented, extremely ambitious $27-million expansion project. Construction at the famous and beloved theater in downtown Red Bank is underway, and it will be completed sometime in 2019, Vena said.

Once finished, expect to see a greatly revamped lobby, featuring new concession and restrooms, an outdoor arts plaza, a rooftop lounge, an education building and a second performance space, which is as-of-now unnamed, Vena pointed out.

"We just had our topping-off ceremony yesterday," he said, which is where the final construction beams are put in place. "We had a lot of our past performers sign that beam, including Jon Stewart and Steven Van Zandt. Once we finish this, we'll be twice as big as we are now. We've been very fortunate to have support from private residents in the community and companies."

Top photo: Count Basie Center for the Arts Chairman Tom Widener; Hackensack Meridian Health co-CEOs John K. Lloyd and Robert C. Garrett; Hackensack Meridian Health President, Care Transformation Services Tim Hogan; Count Basie Center for the Arts President / CEO Adam Philipson.