The Shubert Organization

The Shubert Organization. It is one of the most influential and enduring entities in American commercial theatre, with a history spanning over a century. Founded by three brothers from Syracuse, New York, the organization operates as a major Broadway landlord, producer, and ticket broker. Its extensive portfolio includes numerous historic theatres and a legacy of presenting landmark productions that have shaped the cultural landscape of New York City and beyond.

History

The enterprise was established in 1900 by the brothers Sam S. Shubert, Lee Shubert, and J. J. Shubert, who began their career in the American theatre by managing venues in upstate New York. Following the untimely death of Sam in a 1905 railroad accident in Pennsylvania, Lee and J.J. aggressively expanded their empire, often engaging in fierce competition with the powerful Theatrical Syndicate led by Abraham Lincoln Erlanger. By the 1920s, they controlled a vast network of theatres across the country, from the Shubert Theatre in Boston to the Shubert Theatre in Chicago. The organization faced significant challenges, including the Great Depression and a 1948 Department of Justice antitrust suit, but survived under the leadership of John Shubert, son of Lee. After a period of consolidation, it was revitalized in the 1970s under Gerald Schoenfeld and Bernard B. Jacobs, who refocused its efforts on Broadway and transformed it into its modern corporate structure.

Theatres

The organization is the largest theatre owner on Broadway, with a significant real estate portfolio that includes seventeen historic Broadway houses. These venues are primarily located in the Theatre District and include the Shubert Theatre, home to the long-running revival of *Chicago*, the Majestic Theatre, the longtime home of *The Phantom of the Opera*, and the Winter Garden Theatre, which hosted the original production of *Cats*. Other notable properties are the Barrymore Theatre, named for the famed Barrymore family, the Booth Theatre, and the Longacre Theatre. The organization also operates the Off-Broadway venue The Shubert Theatre (formerly the Sofia's Playhouse) and holds interests in theatres in other major cities like the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut.

Productions

As a prolific producer, it has been associated with hundreds of landmark shows, both dramatic and musical. Its notable productions include the original runs of A Chorus Line, which premiered at the Public Theater before transferring to the Shubert Theatre, and Dreamgirls, which opened at the Imperial Theatre. The organization has also presented major works by playwrights like Harold Pinter (*Betrayal*) and August Wilson (The Piano Lesson), and blockbuster musicals such as *Les Misérables*, *The Producers*, and more recently, Dear Evan Hansen and the 2022 revival of *The Music Man* starring Hugh Jackman. It frequently co-produces with other major entities like the Lincoln Center Theater and The Public Theater.

Business operations

The company functions as a fully integrated live theatre enterprise, engaging in theatre ownership, theatrical production, and ticket sales. Its subsidiary, Telecharge, is a primary ticketing service for Broadway and other live events. The organization's real estate division manages not only its theatrical properties but also commercial office spaces within its buildings. It is governed by a board of directors and led by executives such as Robert E. Wankel. The organization is also a founding member of the Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, and actively participates in collective bargaining with unions like Actors' Equity Association and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Legacy and impact

Its influence on the development of 20th-century American theatre is profound, having helped centralize the commercial theatre industry in New York City and nurtured the careers of countless artists, from playwright Tennessee Williams to composer Stephen Sondheim. The Shubert Foundation, established in 1945 by Lee Shubert, is a separate philanthropic entity that provides millions in annual grants to non-profit theatre companies across the United States, including major institutions like the Roundabout Theatre Company and the Actors Theatre of Louisville. The organization's archives, housed at the Lyceum Theatre, are a vital resource for theatre historians. Despite evolving artistic trends and economic pressures, it remains a cornerstone of the cultural and economic ecosystem of Broadway.

Category:Theatre companies in the United States Category:Broadway theatre Category:Companies based in Manhattan Category:1900 establishments in New York (state)