Ted Cutler’s ambitious performing arts festival is back.
The millionaire philanthropist is resurrecting Outside the Box, his free, multiday event, which will return to Boston this summer following a yearlong hiatus prompted by management woes and spiraling costs.
“The talent is coming from everywhere,” said Cutler, 84, who is planning to pick up the bulk of an estimated $2 million tab unless other sponsors step forward to help.
Cutler said that since launching the festival, which drew thousands to Boston Common and City Hall Plaza in 2013, he has been honing his vision for the event, building partnerships, and scouring Boston and beyond for top entertainment talent.
“How do you judge performing arts? I’ll tell you how I do it: Good is good, and bad stinks. That’s all,” said Cutler, who works closely with his staff but has ultimate say over which acts are invited to perform.
This year’s festival, though slimmed down from 2013, will still be immense: a six-day extravaganza featuring more than 70 acts on three outdoor stages, July 14-19. Headliners have not yet been named.
Cutler has created a partnership with Greater Media Boston (which owns radio stations Country 102.5 WKLB, 105.7 WROR, Magic 106.7, and WBOS Radio 92.9) to feature national musical acts. They plan nights devoted to country music and classic rock, and will incorporate Radio 92.9’s EarthFest, an annual concert staged at the Hatch Shell in the past. In addition, the event will feature two nights of music performances programmed by the Emerson College radio station WERS.
“Teddy explained his vision for Outside the Box going forward, and I loved it,” said Rob Williams, vice president and market manager for Greater Media Boston. “He said he wanted this to be here a generation from now.”
Cutler said his festival will also feature everything from local theater and dance troupes to international acts, and a sprawling section for children that will feature arts education.