Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of the Board for Shubert Organization, Dies

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that Gerald Schoenfeld, the Chairman of the Board of the Shubert Organization, perhaps the most well-known owner and operator of live-performance theaters in the U.S. died on November 25, 2008.

Shoenfeld has played a key role in the history and development of the American theater, overseeing the production of countless classic plays, musicals, and other dramatic pieces.

Mr. Schoenfeld and his former partner, the late Bernard Jacobs, together gained control of the Shubert Organization several decades ago and are credited with revitalizing the operation. The Shubert Organization has brought to the stage dozens of productions, including such works as Amadeus, An Inspector Calls, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Most Happy Fella, Children of a Lesser God, The Heidi Chronicles, Little Shop of Horrors, and Cats. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr Schoenfeld has played a key role in community development and civic affairs in New York City. He has helped lead the effort to renew and improve Times Square and the surrounding area. Mr. Schoenfeld received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and a law degree from New York University.

The Shubert Organization has been at the forefront of the American theatre since the start of the 20th century. The Organization currently owns or operates seventeen Broadway theatres, one Off Broadway theatre (the brand new Little Shubert), and three theatres outside New York City (the Shubert in Boston, MA; the Forrest in Philadelphia, PA; and the National in Washington, DC).

Under the leadership of Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman; Philip J. Smith, President; and Robert E. Wankel, Executive Vice President, the firm continues to be involved in the presentation of distinguished theatrical presentations. Notable Shubert productions and co-productions include Cats, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, The Heidi Chronicles, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Song and Dance, Amadeus, The Gin Game, The Blue Room, Dirty Blonde, Dance of Death, Amour, Passing Strange and the 2008 revival of Equus.

In addition to its theatre operations and producing activities, the Shubert Organization also runs Shubert Ticketing and Telecharge.com. Shubert Ticketing provides every segment of the entertainment industry with a single source for all its ticketing needs - box office sales, telephone sales, internet sales, season and subscription sales, group sales and more. The Shubert Foundation is the sole shareholder of The Shubert Organization, Inc., and is dedicated to sustaining and advancing live performing arts in the United States, with a particular emphasis on theatre and a secondary focus on dance. The Foundation provides general operating support to not-for-profit, professional, resident theatre and dance companies, and to the Shubert Archive.

Photo by Linda Lenzi