Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre raises $10 million in effort to expand

A historic New Jersey theater is getting closer to its goal of raising enough money to expand and improve the theater.
Red Bank's Count Basie Theatre announced Monday that $10 million has been raised in order to expand the theater's performance and classroom space. The expansion could span an entire city block.
Theater officials last year announced a plan to raise $20 million for the expansion. The theater has been providing New Jersey with entertainment for nearly 100 years. Officials say the fundraiser will help the theater become a full-fledged performing arts center.
E Street Band musician Steven Van Zandt and his wife Maureen were on hand with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and New Jersey philanthropists to make the announcement.
The theater still needs to raise $10 million more for the project. Officials hope to break ground on the expansion by 2018 or 2019.
Van Zandt also announced plans to produce a series of concerts at the theater related to his Underground Garage radio show. Four "Little Steven's Underground Garage" performances are planned for next year.