Broadway Dims Marquees and Mourns Gerald Schoenfeld

Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Shubert Organization, Inc., a theatre organization engaged in the ownership and operation of legitimate theatres in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C. died suddenly at his home in Manhattan on Tuesday, November 25, according to Sam Rudy, a spokesperson for The Shubert Organization. Mr. Schoenfeld was 84 years old.

"I've known Gerry... it feels like all my career" said Chita Rivera, "he was always there with his warm fatherly smile making you feel you always had a hit. Gerry WAS the theatre. I am shocked and saddened and will find it hard to think of the theatre without him."

A vibrant and vital figure on Broadway for more than five decades, Mr. Schoenfeld has served as Chairman of The Shubert Organization since 1972. The Shubert Organization has been an essential factor in the production of such distinguished theatrical attractions as INDISCRETIONS, DIRTY BLONDE, PASSION, THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, AMADEUS, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, CATS, Jerome Robbins' BROADWAY, DANCIN', AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', DREAMGIRLS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, SKYLIGHT, CLOSER, THE BLUE ROOM, AMY'S VIEW, DANCE OF DEATH, last season's PASSING STRANGE and the current Broadway revival of EQUUS.

During his tenure, Mr. Schoenfeld committed the Organization to a vigorous participation in community and civic affairs and was a leader in the successful effort to revitalize and enhance the image of Times Square and Midtown. The Organization is also actively engaged in supporting the Board of Education of the City of New York in the reintroduction of art and culture K through 12 in the city's public schools. Mr. Schoenfeld served as Chairman of the Mayor's Midtown Citizens Committee.

Born in New York City on September 22, 1924, Mr. Schoenfeld attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx. He received his B.S. from the University of Illinois and L.L.B. from NYU School of Law. A member of the Columbia University School of the Arts faculty and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, in 1999 he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the City University of New York (CUNY), and in 2001 received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College.

Mr. Schoenfeld is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat Schoenfeld; a daughter Carrie Schoenfeld-Guglielmi, his son-in-law Fiore Guglielmi, and two grandchildren, Sam Schatz and Julia Schatz. His brother Irving of Los Angeles also survives.

In a statement, The Shubert Organization said, "Jerry's passing is an enormous loss to The Shubert Organization and to the theatre community. His love and passion for the theatre represented a major contribution in the revival of the Broadway theatre."Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said, "Our hearts go out to the Schoenfeld family and to the Shubert family of employees. This legendary leader in the Broadway industry was also a champion of arts education and a tireless advocate for the improvement of New York City's Theatre District. Few others have had as profound impact on the history of the American theatre. We will miss him."

At the family's request, funeral arrangements will be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In honor of Mr. Schoenfeld, all Broadway theatres will dim their lights this evening, November 25th, for one minute starting at 7 p.m.

Photo by Linda Lenzi