Wang goers will be sitting in Boch's seats this season

By adamg on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 9:32am

New logo unveiled this morning. Photo by Adam Castiglioni.

Vanyaland reports the Citi Performing Arts Center, which runs the Wang and Shubert Theatres, is becoming the Boch Center, thanks to money from the car dealer, stepping up to replace the money from CitiBank, which gave up on supporting the arts in Boston when it gave up on Boston.

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Comments

The Nutcracker is at the Opera House

By RoseMai on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 9:48am.

No? I would love it if it went back to the Wang!!

The Boston Ballet's Nutcracker is indeed at The Opera House,

By MC Slim JB on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:01am.

as are all their local performances.

There's an Urban Nutcracker (well worth seeing) that runs at John Hancock Hall.

The Slutcracker runs at The Somerville Theatre.

I wonder if Boch has the privilege of having his unspeakable band play at the Boch Center?

And a different Nutcracker across the street at the Majestic

By Ron Newman on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:13am.

Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker

And at the Strand

By Irma la Douce on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:30pm.

Jose Mateo Ballet performs Nutcracker at the Cutler Majestic and at the Strand in Dorchester.

Gah, you're right!

By adamg on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:25am.

Old associations die hard. Thanks, headline changed to reflect reality.

I don't mind that The Nutcracker Suite is at the Opera House.

By mplo on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:56pm.

In fact, I think the Opera House is a perfect place for something such as The Nutcracker Suite, because both The Opera House and the Nutcracker Suite are beautiful, in their own rights.

Boch? Yech

By Ron Newman on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 9:54am.

Boch is a Trump supporter.

Tom Brady

By pmall on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:13am.

As is Tom Brady

Debatable

By Irma la Douce on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:33pm.

TB has called Trump "a friend" but has not specifically supported his candidacy, and in fact was rumored to decline the offer to speak at the RNC.

Trump hat in his locker

By Ghost of Damon Huard on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 7:34am.

I have it on good authority that Tom keeps a red Make America Great Again hat in his locker, for when he wants to cover up his latest muffin-head hairdo.

actually not debatable...

By teric on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 2:39pm.

..it's deflatable.

So what? He supports the

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:14am.

So what? He supports the local arts unlike other limousine liberals (ironic the car guy isn't one) which get the vapors donating a dime to such things.

We need more guys like Boch pulling an Andrew Carnegie, Stephen Mugar, or Eben Jordan and funding the heck out of the arts.

I'm Not

By Suldog on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:16am.

And I find no problem with the guy stepping up to give support to the arts.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

Exactly

By Waquiot on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:28am.

After the annoying ads, I would say that I think of Boch Jr. as a patron of the arts (thanks to some of his annoying ads) before I think of him as a Trump supporter. Trump will most likely go away in a few months, while the need for arts and music will remain for a long time.

In terms of annoying guys

By Kinopio on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:32am.

In terms of annoying guys with terrible hair who inherited their daddy's business, Boch is a bit better than Trump. They put their names on buildings because it makes them feel special since deep down they know they are only rich because of nepotism.

Maybe you're new to the concept of

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:54am.

Branding and marketing. I'll point out a few local examples for you seeing that your head is clearly up your ____.

Roche Brothers (incl The Roche Community Center and Roche Ice Center)
Bobs Discount Furniture
Cains Mayonnaise
Heinz

Maybe you're new to the concept of some family owned businesses

By whyaduck on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 1:42pm.

traditionally using their family names (or first/last name of owner) in the name of their companies?

All the four that you cite fit the bill.

The Little Prince just likes to see his name a lot. It makes him feel good down there. And he will spend big bucks to ensure he sees his name a lot. His business was not the theater business but inheriting daddy's car empire. Ego is not the same as business branding buddy.

So now we have to politically

By Patricia not logged in on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:25am.

So now we have to politically agree with anyone that offers to fund arts?

I'm just glad someone stepped in with funding. Loved the Nutcracker as well as other shows I've seen at any of the theaters. Nothing like live theater.

You need to step away from the news, maybe go see a show.

I thought this guy was a

By ZachAndTired on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:36am.

I thought this guy was a Grade-A chode long before he started stumping for Trump. That was just the icing on the cake.

Then avoid any theater he is

By Patricia not logged in on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:55am.

Then avoid any theater he is supporting. That is your choice. I plan on continuing to enjoy the live performances.

I never said I was going to

By ZachAndTired on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:56pm.

I never said I was going to stop going there or that he doesn't have a right to sponsor it. I just think he's a boner in general. That's all.

Also, why are so many people in these comments acting like he's just donating a bunch of money out of the kindness of his heart? He bought the naming rights. This is advertising, not philanthropy. Saying that this is supporting the arts is like saying TD Bank is supporting local athletics for buying the naming rights to the Garden.

Not really a quid pro quo

By Gary C on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 1:20pm.

Sure naming the facilities "Bock" will keep the name in the public eye in a positive way. However, I don't see how he can expect to sell X number of additional cars because of this donation. Based on the Globe story, Bock has a connection to the guy running the place and just felt like it was the right thing to do. You can't complain about that kind of giving, even if it results in his name being put on a couple of buildings.

"Bock"

By Imma Dork on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:28pm.

OMFG Sam Adams totally has a beer named after him.

If the musicians, acts, artists choose other venues,

By boo_urns on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:13pm.

then I will. Gladly. Unfortunately, I don't really have a "choice" in where those acts choose to book. Also, if you don't like this comment, then just don't read it. That's your choice.

So

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:07am.

He also supports a wide range of Art, sports and youth programs.

What do you do? Additionally, supporting Hillary is any better.

Hey, WGBH has no problem whatsover

By Elmer Fudd on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:10pm.

Taking money from David Koch. Hell, he's on the BOD. Money talks.

Koch Bros.

By Irma la Douce on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:37pm.

Also major donors to the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

The Douche center sounds

By bulgingbuick on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 9:55am.

good to me.

Even better

By Ahab on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 9:59am.

He should buy one of the surrounding bars and call it Born On Third Base.

Third base? He was born owning the stadium

By bulgingbuick on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:55pm.

concessions and parking.

when

By Ishmael Jones on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:01am.

does Ernie Boch's summer of fun end?

Was hoping that Wells Fargo

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:16am.

Was hoping that Wells Fargo would step up. They could provide event tickets to people who hadn't even asked for them!

lol

By Scumquistador on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:26am.

yeah, lets keep finding reasons to shit on a guy because hes supporting the arts.

go do something equal to or greater than what he did if you're so righteous.

Yes, that's what everyone is doing:

By MC Slim JB on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:57am.

mocking EBJ because he's supporting the arts.

Shaddap, doofus.

If I inherited millions like

By Kinopio on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:34am.

If I inherited millions like Ernie Boch Junior I guarantee I would do more good than just put my name on a building to help pay for a play and I think that is true of any decent person.

He does a bit more than get his name on buildings

By Waquiot on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:56pm.

He has a whole auto dealership thing for that.

No, he does in fact spend a lot of his dad's money on the arts. In fact, I would wager that between selling Subarus and helping kids learn music, he'd opt for the latter any day.

Sort of did

By KSquared on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:09pm.

Since he sold off most of the actual car dealerships and just has the Subaru connection at this point.

I haven't been down Route 1 recently

By Waquiot on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:40pm.

But I always thought that whoever purchased the dealerships kept the names. And before the haters chime in, we'll just say that they are keep the name because of the dad and leave it at that.

Toyota $$$

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 7:08pm.

One of the chain families in the area signed a contract with Toyota in the 70s where they get money regardless of who sells the car in the New England are. Isn't that the Boch family or am I remembering that wrong?

Close

By adamg on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 7:56pm.

It was Old Man Boch, but it's Subaru, not Toyota.

Love these "arts supporters" Boch or others.

By bulgingbuick on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:53pm.

He gives a ton of money to allow theater companies to charge arms and legs to average Joe's to see a "show".

Obligatory

By Lanny Budd on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:29am.

You can't beat the Wang for entertainment!

lmao

By Malcolm Tucker on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:03am.

Somehow, despite all my dirty uncles, I'd never heard that one before. Will work it into my daily repertoire now - thanks!

It's up there with

By Will LaTulippe on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 12:24pm.

Liberace was a great piano player, but I heard he sucked on the organ.

I would much rather have it

By anon on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 10:52am.

I would much rather have it named the Chambers Center. Herb is much more likable and popular and wealthier.

Call it Boch's Wang

By scollaysq on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:27am.

Signed, former Music Hall employee

Oh my!

By h00ks on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 5:48pm.

Oh my!

I wonder what Ernie Boch III thinks about all of this...

I don't like Boch often

By Sock_Puppet on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:38am.

But I like Offenbach

A bit of civility?

By Anony-Mouse on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 4:29pm.

So people who have political positions you don't like support the arts or other causes you do like.

Remember general civility? Remember that 'We're all Americans' feeling after 9/11?

Wang is a failed computer company (and yes, later a philanthropist). Citi is a too-big-to-fail giant bank. TD North is also a giant bank, and then let's talk about the Prudential and John Hancock towers.

Give it a rest already.

I suggest we all enjoy a show, say 'thanks for supporting the arts', and save the name calling for the school-yard?

Anyone know how much it cost

By voter on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 7:41am.

Anyone know how much it cost Boch for the naming rights? Sometimes these things go for much cheaper than you'd think... naming buildings at universities, for instance.