For 20 years, a man with a dazzling personality, bright smile, colorful bowties, and incredible work ethic has been the cornerstone of the arts community in historic downtown Gettysburg. Under Jeffrey Gabel’s tutelage, the Majestic Theater on Carlisle Street underwent a $16.5 million renovation and several other upgrades.
Gabel welcomed national stars such as Hal Holbrook, James Earl Jones, Dave Brubeck, Elvis Costello, Joan Baez, and Bob Newhart to Gettysburg while also making space in the annual schedule for community-oriented productions such as Totem Pole Playhouse’s “A Christmas Carol” and “Dancing with the Local Stars.”
The show must, and will, go on but the final days of 2023 signal the end of the Majestic’s Jeffrey Gabel act. With his bowties in his closet, a much more relaxed Gabel gives his time in Gettysburg a five-star review.
“I always wanted to go out when I was at the top of my game. Crowds are still cheering when I give the curtain speech, not wondering ‘What is that old fart doing out on stage?’” Gabel said.
Jeffrey Gabel’s Road to Gettysburg
Gabel has been such a fixture in the Gettysburg community that it is sometimes hard to grasp the 73-year-old had a fulfilling career before moving here. He was in his fifth year managing The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire when Gettysburg College posted the founding executive director position in 2003.
College executives needed someone with a magnetic personality, keen business acumen, and a strong pulse on the entertainment community — not some clown — to return the shuttered 1925 theater to greatness.
They searched the nation and their introduction to Gabel led to perfect casting. He was friendly, understood complex budgeting and project management, and knew which acts to book to draw a crowd.
And while the college wasn’t looking for a clown, they got one as a bonus. As Chuckles the Clown, Gabel appeared as a special guest on the national television series “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” in 1986.
Much like his time in Gettysburg years later, Gabel’s PBS act proved he was more than a personality. Gabel worked for the PBS national office in Washington, D.C. as associate director of cultural programming in charge of classical music, and then as the national director of children’s programming. He is credited with helping to develop award-winning new series including “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?,” “The Magic School Bus,” and “Barney the Dinosaur.”
Lead-up to Opening Night
Gabel’s first responsibility in Gettysburg was to raise money, and a lot of it.
Turning a 1925 Colonial Revival vaudeville and silent movie theater into a 60,000 square-foot performing arts center which includes the 800-seat historic theater and two cinemas, an art gallery, café, lobbies, backstage rehearsal hall, and production facilities required $16.5 million.
“This project was so golden in so many ways, with a downtown location adjacent to the borough parking garage,” Gabel said. “We also had the space within our own building to expand.”
The Majestic reopened on Nov. 14, 2005 – the 80th anniversary of its first opening night – with a Broadway gala featuring vocalists Elaine Stritch, Marion Mazzie, and Debbie Gravitte. Carson Kressley and Jamie Bernstein served as hosts.
Theaters were once staples of small towns across America. Over the decades, many shuttered and were eventually demolished. Thanks to the college’s vision and Gabel’s leadership, Gettysburg had bucked the trend.
“I remember going back into the Majestic after many years away and just being wowed by it,” said 52-year-old lifetime Gettysburg resident Matt Sheads, who saw “Star Wars” in the Majestic in 1977. “It makes me warm to see it back the way it used to be.”
Continued success
Gabel came to town with an impressive resume and clear goals, but he knew he would need partnerships to succeed. The Adams County Arts Council was marking its 10th anniversary in 2003, so then executive director Chris Glatfelter was one of the first people he met.
“With visions of partnerships we could forge, I stood in line, excited and a little nervous, waiting to meet its new executive director, Jeffrey Gabel,” Glatfelter recalled of their first meeting. “I stuttered out, ‘I look forward to learning everything I can from you.’ With the most endearing expression on his face, he said ‘I look forward to learning from you, too.’ That was the last response I expected from someone with his lofty list of credentials.”
Glatfelter and Gabel quickly teamed up to produce a School Days Series and the 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in 2007.
“I remember being told ‘we have this great honor for you. We selected your theater and community to host the Governor’s Awards for the Arts, but you need to raise $75,000 to put it on,” Gabel recalled with a laugh.
A blessing and a curse, for sure, but the community stepped up to the challenge and the grand event was held in October.
Chad-Alan Carr, founding executive director of the Gettysburg Community Theatre, credits Gabel, Glatfelter, and others for cementing his decision to move to Gettysburg from Texas. Much like Gabel, Carr’s name is now synonymous with local arts but in 2007 he was a guest artist visiting Pennsylvania from Texas for the Governor’s Awards.
“It is hard to imagine The Majestic without the billowing laughter and dapper bow tie adorned kind gentlemanly smile that Jeffrey Gabel always had,” Carr said. “What he has done for the town will always be remembered by young and old for decades to come every time one looks at The Majestic.”
Gabel knew that for the Majestic to succeed, the community it was located in needed to flourish. While the Majestic hosted nationally known performers, it also welcomed fundraisers for other Adams County organizations such as The Rotary Club of Gettysburg, The Adams County Arts Council, and YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County.
Building a team
There will be no overlap between Gabel’s tenure and his successor’s, but he is excited to watch them thrive from afar.
“I am handing you one of the most unique and beautiful historic theaters in the country with a great staff, a generous community, and a great community reputation,” he said when asked to offer advice to his replacement. “You have every marker for success. I want you to be a success and make it even bigger and better.”
The Majestic team includes Gettysburg Borough Council Vice President Matt Moon. Moon began his Majestic career as patron services director 12 years ago, shortly after relocating to Gettysburg from San Francisco. The leadup to a successful show is not always easy, but Gabel trusted his staff to keep any difficulties backstage while maintaining professionalism.
“Difficult and potentially explosive situations would occur and he always counseled to concentrate on ‘just the facts,’” Moon said. “This calm and calming approach has defused countless hiccups and kept us focused on our goals.”
Moon referred to Gabel as more than a boss, but also a friend.
“From crying together over tragedies, to uproarious belly laughs shared more times than I can count, Jeffrey has been a light in dark times,” he said. “The work we have done together makes Gettysburg a better, more vibrant place.”
Next Chapter
Gabel will soon relocate to Mechanicsburg, near his hometown of Camp Hill. He is excited to be primarily a consumer of the arts while exploring the Harrisburg-area cultural scene. As he relaxes in his new community’s saltwater pool, he will reflect on his time in Gettysburg with the classic Gabel smile stretching from ear to ear.
“I am fortunate that I had my most rewarding assignment and working for the best employer I have ever had to close out my career,” he said.
Jeffrey Gabel’s contributions to the Majestic Theater will continue in perpetuity. Community members who wanted to honor his work and allow others to do the same started The Jeffrey W. Gabel “Carry On Laughing” fund at the Adams County Community Foundation. Grants from this designated fund will support comedic programming at the theater. Donations can be made at www.adamscountycf.org/for-donors/donate-now.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
The first time I experienced Jeffrey Gabel on the stage of the Majestic was at the performance of The Vienna Boys Choir. I believe it was the first of the remarkable series of performances presented for our enjoyment. I was sitting in the balcony ( seats were GONE, and I had been able to get just one from a person who couldn’t attend), and Jeffrey came out, bowed, and introduced himself. He looked up into the balcony, and asked, “Can you hear me up there?” We all assured him we could, and he told us that the Majestic had started… Read more »
Jeffrey has been such a key player in a real arts renaissance in the ‘burg. I can’t imagine where we’d be as a community without all his many fantastic contributions! Hats off to you, Jeffrey, and much joy to you in your well-earned retirement! You’ll be missed!