METUCHEN, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy, along with Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, visited the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, emphasizing the importance of supporting arts and culture through New Jersey Economic Development Authority resources. The visit, which took place at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, featured a 20-minute tour of the 96-year-old theater, led by Mayor Busch and joined by Christopher Paladino, President of the New Brunswick Development Corporation, and other local officials.
Acquired by the borough in 2019, the Forum Theatre is a centerpiece of the local arts district and a source of community pride, noted for hosting a variety of events over the years, including movies, vaudeville acts, and social gatherings. The visit highlighted plans to transform the theater into a versatile space, with discussions of creating a black box theater to foster community engagement.
Governor Murphy, reflecting on the theater’s potential, envisioned it as a regional “game changer,” comparing the proposed flexible seating arrangement to the venue at Oceans Casino in Atlantic City. During the tour, discussions also touched on the theater’s historical significance, with Mayor Busch sharing a photo of Senator John Kennedy passing by the venue, and Governor Murphy recalling his own theatrical experiences.
The visit underscored the state’s commitment to preserving cultural landmarks and bolstering community cohesion through the arts, with the Forum Theatre poised to become an even more integral part of Metuchen’s cultural landscape.