Bell Works raises curtain on new Holmdel theater

The Bell Theater at Bell Works cut the ribbon May 9, 2024. The venue will host a variety of arts and culture programming at the Holmdel metroburb. - PROVIDED BY BELL WORKS/BELL THEATER

Jessica Perry//May 31, 2024//

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Bell Works has proven an innovative and inviting space for office tenants, retailers and the community, as well as the arts. Since serving as the backdrop for TV series like “Severance,” the Holmdel metroburb has now introduced its own venue for live performances and more.

The Bell Theater at Bell Works began welcoming audiences at the start of May, after officially opening its doors last month. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place for the 285-seat space May 8.

According to Inspired by Somerset Development, the team behind Bell Works, the ground-floor venue will host arts programming including professional theater, dance, concerts and films.

Bell Theater Executive Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco said the project has been in the works for the past two years. “We’ll be presenting comedy nights, jazz nights, rock and roll, new and old musicals, plays, dances and family entertainment with weekly programming,” he said.

Bell Theater’s full schedule is available here.

Students at the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, located at Bell Works, will also have opportunities to perform on the stage in showcases and small productions.

The first show at Bell Theater was East Carson Street, which ran May 3-12 starring Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages) and Teal Wicks (Wicked) with music by Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky.

“When we set out to develop Bell Works, I wanted it to be a place for business and community to thrive, where people get together and inspire each other,” explained Inspired by Somerset Development founder and CEO Ralph Zucker. “Nothing says that we’ve succeeded in doing so more than the opening of Bell Theater. The theater is breathing new arts and cultural life into Bell Works already, and is now part of the beating heart and soul of what we stand for.”

“It is important to make the arts accessible, and what better place than Bell Works to be a hub? …. I look forward to seeing the future activations here be the driving force to inspire others, as that is what Bell Works thrives on.”

— Paola Zamudio, creative director & lead designer, Bell Works

At the start of 2024, the 2 million-square-foot office campus celebrated a decade since its reimagining, as well as hitting 99% occupancy.

The Bell Theater was made possible by a donation from Sheldon and Anne Vogel. According to Inspired by Somerset, additional financial assistance came from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts in cooperation with and administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Various membership opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, are available to support Bell Theater.