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The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
 On March 14, 2008 the doors opened to the newly restored Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. This grand opening marked the culmination of one of Worcester’s greatest, most extensive community partnerships.
Built by renowned architect Thomas W. Lamb, the Grand Palace Theatre, also known as the Loew’s Poli Palace Theatre, was an ornate 3,000-seat theatre which catered to Broadway and vaudeville performances. The theatre evolved with Worcester’s cultural environment, becoming a Showcase Cinema in 1967 and finally, closing its doors in 1998. After its closure, the grand theatre fell into disrepair with minimal maintenance to both its interior and exterior.
In 2002, the non-profit Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (WCPA) was established to restore the theatre to its former glory, providing Worcester with a new cultural centerpiece for the downtown. In true community partnership, the WCPA teamed up with the WBDC, the City of Worcester, the Hanover Insurance Group, area colleges, foundations, businesses, and residents, and the Federal and state legislative delegation to complete this amazing restoration project. With help from Worcester’s Federal and State delegation, the restoration of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts became a reality. More than half of the $31 million project was public funds, including funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The project was also able to secure tax credits from the National Park Service, the Massachusetts Secretary of State, and the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation. Today The Hanover Theatre hosts world-class concerts, national Broadway shows, popular comedians, and more. As a historic Worcester landmark, the Theatre anticipates to attract more than 170,000 visitors throughout the year, stimulating more than $40,000,000 in economic investment.
For more information, contact Roberta Brien or visit online at: http://www.thehanovertheatre.org
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