Count Basie Center for the Arts, Phoenix Productions announce merger

RED BANK – For three decades, the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Phoenix Productions have worked in tandem.

Now, they’re making it official.

On Tuesday, the arts organizations announced their intention to merge, with the community theater company officially becoming part of the Basie family.

“With this union, the Basie Center becomes both a presenting and producing organization, thus strengthening our mission to preserve and celebrate the arts,” said Basie Board of Trustees Chair Jeremy Grunin.

Phoenix Productions'

“Coming out of the pandemic we were looking at how each of our nonprofit organizations could best serve the community,” said Adam Philipson, Basie president and CEO. “We concluded by recognizing that we’re stronger together. This is a union three decades in the making, and we’re excited to work with Phoenix Artistic Producing Director James Grausam and continue Phoenix’s ongoing tradition of producing top-notch, quality community theater.”

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The Basie and Phoenix Productions will team up for six performances over the next 12 months.

The shows will be announced on Friday, Feb. 11, during opening night of Phoenix’s “The Wedding Singer” at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theater at the Basie.

Previously announced Phoenix performances at the Basie are “The Wizard Of Oz” from April 29 to May 1, and “Putting It Together,” a revue showcasing the songs of Stephen Sondheim, at The Vogel on March 11 and 12.

Phoenix’s educational offerings will be added into the Basie’s Academy of the Arts curriculum starting this summer.

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As part of the merger, Phoenix Productions board members Jerry Conaty, SoVonna Day-Goins and Joe Wajda joined the Basie Board of Trustees, while Phoenix board member James Marhold joined the Basie’s Advisory Board.

“Our organizations were able to weather the storm of the pandemic and exhibit creativity and resilience,” said Wajda, Phoenix’s musical director, a Broadway veteran. “We’re two organizations that remained vigilant, safe and committed to our missions — and today, we’re together and stronger for it.”

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Day-Goins’ daughter has performed in 13 Phoenix Productions shows, and recently booked her first professional job on NBC’s “Annie Live!”

“The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Phoenix Productions share many of the same values,” Day-Goins said. “A focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, serving the community with quality entertainment and educational offerings – this is a powerful combination of bringing two like-minded organizations together to create sustainable arts for future generations to come.”

The Basie and Phoenix Productions will team up for six performances over the next 12 months.

Wajda and Day-Goins will co-chair a new Basie Center committee focused on Phoenix operations, which will also include Basie staff and board members and former Phoenix board members.

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Merging with Phoenix also complements the Basie’s “long tenure of supporting the Broadway community,” it says, from its “Broadway At The Basie Center” series of national touring producti to the annual Basie Awards, which honor excellence in Monmouth County high school theater, to Academy of the Arts’ themed classes and workshops.

For more information, visit thebasie.org and phoenixredbank.com.

Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. She highlights arts advocacy and education, theater fundraisers and more through her column, “Sightlines.” Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; [email protected]

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