Strand Theatre: Columbia Rd. landmark goes unused most days.After $8 million in renovations, Strand site unused 10 months a year; bustling '90s now a memory

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino says the proudest moment of his political career took place last year at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester when more than a thousand people, of all races, faiths and ages, locals as well as out-of-towners, turned out over two nights to attend the play “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

The mayor has given two of his State of the City addresses at the Strand and his commitment to the theatre goes beyond the rhetorical. He has channeled $10 million in city funds in an effort to return the Strand, the last neighborhood theatre in the city, to its early 20th-century glory.

But Menino’s enthusiasm for the Strand has not extended to his administration’s stewardship of the Uphams Corner fixture – even though it has become one of the city’s costliest neighborhood initiatives.

Despite the extensive renovations, usage of the theatre has fallen dramatically in recent years.  Read more

Akiba AbakaAt 14 years old, Vanessa Lindo took the stage for the first time in her life at the Strand Theatre. As the newest member of the Strand Teen Players, Lindo, a Jamaican immigrant living in Dorchester, saw a new world open before her eyes.

“We got on stage and started singing, me and 30 other kids,” she recalls. “I was so nervous, I stood in the back like a statue.”

Since her first stage performance, a lot has changed for Lindo, now 30 and known in Boston art circles as Akiba Abaka. She has found her voice and works as producing artistic director of Up You Mighty Race, an award-winning African theater ensemble and youth mentoring group.

“The seeds were planted right there at the Strand at 14,” Abaka said. “Everything I know about theater, the foundation of theater, the need for theater, without the Strand we would not be talking right now.”  Read more

As they did last year, the Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) will hold its end-of-the-year concert at the Strand Theater in Uphams Corner. Co-sponsored by the City of Boston, this special season-wrapping performance will take place Saturday, May 30 from 2 to 4 pm. It is free and open to the public.  Read more

Ruben Studdard, the American Idol champion who now headlines the touring musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" came to Dorchester on Monday to check out the Strand Theatre, where he and his fellow cast members will take the stage for four performances starting April 10.  Read more

Ruben Studdard: Won the "big one" in 2003.Don't worry: Simon Cowell won't be on hand to critique your skills or lack thereof. But, if you think you've got the vocal chops to take the stage with Ruben Studdard, your big break may be here.  Read more

Don't worry: Simon Cowell won't be on hand to critique your skills or lack thereof. But, if you think you've got the vocal chops to take the stage with Ruben Studdard, your big break may be here.  Read more

The Strand Theatre may be on the verge of a breakout year, with a flurry of new productions set to take to the refurbished Uphams Corner stage in the coming months.

The Menino administration, which has led an ambitious effort to re-cast the historic, city-owned theatre as an urban arts destination, have fingers crossed that names like Reuben Studdard and Mozart will bring music-lovers back to Columbia Road.

Stoddard, the 2003 American Idol champion, leads the cast of "Ain't Misbehavin'" onto Columbia Road for a two-day run in April.  Read more

The Strand Theatre in Uphams Corner has undergone a number of renovations and updates since the city of Boston took over management of the 87-year old property last July. This week representatives from the city's Department of Neighborhood Development led the Reporter on a tour of the theatre, to discuss where it's been and plans for the future.

"The city took over interim management to keep it up," said Barbara Salfity, deputy director of real estate for DND. "We want to be the steward of the Strand until we can put it into the right hands."  Read more

Boston has a "Nutcracker" for many a niche market - a Jewish "Nutcracker," a gay "Nutcracker" - all competing with the Boston Ballet version , the world's most popular production of the world's most popular ballet.  Read more