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The Somerville Theatre, part of the Hobbs Building in the heart of Davis
Square, was designed by the firm of Funk & Wilcox of Boston and built
in 1914 by Joseph Hobbs.
Designed for stage shows, vaudeville, opera, and
that new fad – motion pictures – the theatre was only one of the Hobbs
Building attractions, which also included a basement café; bowling alley
and billiards hall; ten ground floor storefronts; and the Hobbs Crystal
Ballroom on the second floor.
The theatre opened its doors for the first time on May 11, 1914. The
opening program featured a music and dance act – The Stewart Sisters; a
comedy playlet by the Fuller-Rose company called “A King For A Day;” a
singing skit by the Adairs; and “The Inventor’s Wife” – a two-reel film
presentation.
In 1996, renovation began for the theatre lobby and more key expansions in the Hobbs Building including new seats in the orchestra of the original auditorium.
In 2006, further renovations restored the original auditorium interior to
its original color scheme; and the stage was restored to its original size
and upgraded with new curtains, rigging, and movie screen.
In 2007, the Somerville Theatre became one of the few venues in New England
to offer beer and wine to film and event patrons.
In the summer of 2009, more renovations took place. The ageing balcony was
repaired and all new seating replaced the originals still there from 1914.
Dolby Digital Sound and 24 surround speakers were installed throughout the
original auditorium. And a revamped projection booth containing two Norelco
DP-70 projectors was installed, enabling the Somerville to be one of the
few movie theatres in New England that can run 70mm film.
One of the two Norelco DP-70 projectors in the main theatre. The theatre
continues to host live events in addition to movies. In 2009, U2 chose the
Somerville Theatre to perform in concert – perhaps the most famous booking
in the history of the theatre. Bruce Springsteen did two solo acoustic
shows performed in 2003. Among other notable names to have appeared on
stage at the Somerville are Hunter S. Thompson, Maya Angelou, Joan Baez,
Arlo Guthrie, Cheap Trick, Donovan, Kevin Spacey, Phish, Norah Jones,
Adele, Nelly Furtado, Leonard Nimoy, Kevin Kline, Ben Kingsley, Billy
Bragg, The Black Crowes, Guster, Tracey Chapman, and countless others.
Live theater has taken the stage in recent history as well, with shows like
Faith Soloway’s “Miss Folk America” and “Jesus Has Two Mommies,” as well as
community theater like Theatre@First’s “Never After,” and radio plays such
as “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” The theatre is also home to the annual
holiday burlesque extravaganza “The Slutcracker.”
The theatre is also home to the annual Independent Film Festival of Boston,
which hosts a dazzling assortment of film screenings, panel discussions,
and special guests.
The Somerville Theatre continues doing what it set out to do since 1914 –
provide the community with quality entertainment on stage and screen. It
distinguishes itself from the large theater chains by offering lower
prices; great popcorn and Richardson’s Ice Cream; a fine beer and wine
assortment; a superior presentation with well-maintained projection
equipment and a staff of union projectionists who take pride in their work;
and a staff and management with local roots taking pride in its mission,
and a passion for the remarkable place that is the Somerville Theatre.
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