Circus Quixote McCarter Theatre Center Princeton

McCarter Theatre Center, located in Princeton, New Jersey, is a venue that can easily be found on the campus of Princeton University. The facility was inaugurated for the public on February 21, 1930. This regional theater is under the ownership of Princeton University, and McCarter Theatre Center operates it. The venue is currently led by Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg along with Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen. McCarter Theatre Center was built as a permanent home for the Princeton University Triangle Club. The project was funded by Thomas N. McCarter, class of 1888.

The opening ceremony of McCarter Theatre Center was accompanied by a special performance of the famous 40th annual Triangle show entitled The Golden Dog. Joshua Logan was one of the show stars, whereas James Stewart was part of the chorus. The venue earned popularity as a pre-Broadway showcase during the 1930s. The facility features a large seating capacity and a 40-foot proscenium stage. The world premiere of Thornton Wilder's Our Town took place at the McCarter. Other notable premieres include James Thurber, Elliott Nugent's The Male Animal, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's You Can't Take It with You, Philip Barry's Without Love, and William Inge's Bus Stop.

McCarter Theatre Center also hosted the Princeton University Concerts for almost a half-century. The Philadelphia Orchestra in March 1932 was the very first non-campus-related program of "classical music" that took place at the theater. It was followed by the Cleveland Orchestra, Rudolf Serkin, Jascha Heifetz, the New York Philharmonic, Myra Hess, Robert and Gaby Casadesus, and Gregor Piatigorsky.