Blumenreich’s New Digs

Bill Blumenreich of Bill Blumenreich Presents is looking to lease the shuttered Wilbur Theatre in Boston for live theatrical shows or as a new location for his Boston Comedy Connection club.

Blumenreich, who books talent at the Comedy Connection locations in Boston; East Providence, R.I.; and Chicopee and Saugus, Mass., told the Boston Globe the deal isn’t official yet because he must first discuss licenses for various kinds of entertainment with the city.

"There are so many theatre opportunities now, we might do it all with theatre stuff," Blumenreich said.

Another option is to move the Comedy Connection from its current 450-capacity location into the main part of the Wilbur. Blumenreich said this would be a possibility if other opportunities don’t work out and he decides not to stay in the area.

The Boston Globe reported that Blumenreich said the rent for the Comedy Connection location in the Quincy Market Building at Faneuil Hall is too high and he wants to move.

The 1,200-capacity Wilbur was bought by the current owners in 1988 for $3.1 million and has been on the market since August 2007.

The 94-year-old theatre, which has featured Broadway style shows, cabaret and dinner theatre, has received the OK from the city for uses including residential, office, retail, restaurant and entertainment.

City officials have made it clear that they want the theatre to be used, at least in part, as a performance facility, according to the Globe.

Blumenreich was not available for comment.