The Broadway Theater Will Be Renamed After James Earl Jones

The Shubert Foundation’s Cort Theater on Broadway will be renamed after James Earl Jones, fulfilling the theater giant’s promise to honor an artist of color in such a way.

Mr. James Earl Jones renamed the Theater “in recognition of Mr. Jones’ enormous lifetime contribution to Broadway and the entire arts community,” according to a statement from Shuberts.

The move comes less than a year after a broad Broadway coalition of theater owners, producers, union leaders, creators and cast directors launched a series of reforms and pledges for the theater industry to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

One requirement of the New Deal for Broadway was that the Shubert, Nederlander and Jujamcyn chains must have at least one of their theaters named after a Black artist. Jujamcyn had the August Wilson Theater.

“For me, standing in this very building 64 years ago at the beginning of my Broadway career, it was unthinkable for me to have my name on this building today,” Jones, 91, said in An announcement.

“Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration to all aspiring actors.”

Jones has appeared in 21 Broadway plays, including two at the Cort Theatre. He’s won Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar-, and Tony awards, including theatrical awards for best actor for “The Great White Hope” and “Fences,” as well as an achievement award. lifetime in 2017.

The Cort Theater is 110 years old and was built by John Cort, the general manager of the Northwest Theater Association, who died in 1929.

There are 41 theaters on Broadway – 4 for women and now 2 for black artists.