Stage Right

One month before its scheduled Oct. 27 opening, the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair was a hive of activity, with workers on scaffolding performing an elaborate ceiling restoration, while others manned power saws and paintbrushes.

Posted October 13, 2008 by Ken Schlager

A worker restores the ornamental snowflake that adorns the ceiling of the Wellmont Theatre.

Photo courtesy of The Montclair Times/montclairtimes.com.

Completed sections of the restored ceiling.

Photo courtesy of The Montclair Times/montclairtimes.com.

The Wellmont, which has long functioned as an uncomfortable and shabby triplex movie theater, is being resurrected as a concert venue with an early lineup that includes Counting Crows (on opening night), Steely Dan, Tony Bennett, Al Green, Brian Wilson, B.B. King, John Prine, Bill Maher, Matisyahu, and Hanson.

During a recent visit, the venue—at 5 Seymour Street, just off Bloomfield Avenue—was taking shape in impressive fashion. The orchestra has been divided into three tiers. Depending on the attraction, these spaces will be used for flexible seating or general admission. Upstairs, the balcony will have 1,000 theater seats. Bars are being installed on each level.

While the seats and most of the finished surfaces had yet to materialize, the restoration work on the walls and ceiling was already bearing fruit. Expert crews have given new life to the dramatic architectural touches and sculpted accents long hidden at the Wellmont, which originally opened in 1922. The vaulted ceiling has been painted a classic Wedgwood blue; its bas-relief ornamentation has been repaired and painted gold. The focal point of the ceiling is a dome decorated with a huge gilded snowflake and encircled by restored stained-glass panels.

The Wellmont will be run by Montclair Entertainment, a partnership between Montclair resident Andy Feltz, who formerly operated New York’s Beacon Theatre, and principals from the Manhattan-based Bowery Presents, including Wyckoff native Jim Glancy.

The restoration team also has Jersey roots. Michael Costantin of Conklin Costantin Architects, one of two main architects on the project, grew up in Bridgewater and lives in Jersey City. Site supervisor Charlie Dube lives in Riverdale. The restoration is using a number of New Jersey vendors, including Wayne Tile and Georgia’s Stained Glass Werks of Rockaway.

Ticket prices to date range from $20 to $150 (for the top Steely Dan ticket). Once the theater opens, there will be a box office on site where fans can purchase tickets surcharge-free.

The venue’s capacity will range from about 1,800 (for seated shows) to 2,400. Where will all their cars go in parking-challenged Montclair downtown?

“We know that parking in this area is always a big concern,” says Feltz. “We’ve been speaking with local businesses and partners for many months now in order to secure ample parking for the venue, and we’re going to be able to announce our specific plans long before our first show. It’s also important to us that we are good neighbors.”

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