Broadway legends, industry players, members of the media, fans, and even the Mayor came out today, Monday, September 12, 2022, to celebrate the unveiling of the new James Earl Jones Theatre. Formerly the Cort Theatre, this theatre is owned by the Shubert Organization, the largest theater owner on Broadway. It included a beautiful pre-recorded video of Mr. James Earl Jones seeing his theater revealed to him for the first time last week. Due to his health, he could not make today's celebration, but watching his face light up with pure joy as he saw the newly renovated theater named after him, the same theater where he made his Broadway debut in 1958, was truly breathtaking!
We were treated to two powerhouse performances by Norm Lewis, who sang "Go the Distance" from Hercules, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, who performed his iconic power ballad "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime (I still haven't recovered from it.. I am a mess!). In between, we were treated to a beautiful speech by Samuel L. Jackson.
Robert Wankel, Chairman of the Shubert Organization, and Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, counted down as the brand new Marquee was unveiled before us. We were then let inside to get an exclusive first look inside the newly renovated theater, and all I have to say is WOWWWW!!!! I cannot wait for you to step foot inside it when it opens with its inaugural production of Ohio State Murders starring Audra McDonald.