Philip J. Smith, who as the longtime chairman of Broadway’s Shubert Organization was one of the most influential and powerful forces in American theater, died today in New York City of complications of Covid-19. He was 89.
Smith’s death was confirmed by daughters Linda Phillips and Jennifer Stein. Smith retired from his position as chairman and co-ceo in June and had most recently held the title of Chairman Emeritus.
“We have lost a giant of the American Theatre and a most beloved member of our Shubert Organization family,” said Robert E. Wankel, who succeeded Smith as the chairman and CEO. “Over his 63-year career, Phil Smith influenced every aspect of the professional theatre and earned the respect and admiration of everyone from the stage doormen to the greatest performers and creative talents of our time. He was devoted to his work, his friends, his colleagues and above all, his family.
Smith’s death was confirmed by daughters Linda Phillips and Jennifer Stein. Smith retired from his position as chairman and co-ceo in June and had most recently held the title of Chairman Emeritus.
“We have lost a giant of the American Theatre and a most beloved member of our Shubert Organization family,” said Robert E. Wankel, who succeeded Smith as the chairman and CEO. “Over his 63-year career, Phil Smith influenced every aspect of the professional theatre and earned the respect and admiration of everyone from the stage doormen to the greatest performers and creative talents of our time. He was devoted to his work, his friends, his colleagues and above all, his family.
- 1/15/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Philip J. Smith, Chairman and Co-CEO of The Shubert Organization, has announced his retirement, effective June 30, after 63 years with Broadway’s largest theater owner and producer.
A major force on the theatrical landscape for decades, Smith will also resign his duties as Chairman of The Shubert Foundation, the nation’s largest private foundation dedicated to not-for-profit theater and dance company funding.
Smith will be succeeded at both Shubert and the Shubert Foundation by Shubert’s current President and Co-CEO Robert E. Wankel. Smith will become Chairman Emeritus.
In a statement, Smith said, “The decision to retire feels exactly right at this time in my life. The current Covid-19 crisis has pushed the business of Broadway into uncharted territory. It seems an appropriate time for me to step down and turn over my leadership responsibilities to my friend and colleague, Bob Wankel.”
The many Shubert hits during Smith’s years at the company include Cats,...
A major force on the theatrical landscape for decades, Smith will also resign his duties as Chairman of The Shubert Foundation, the nation’s largest private foundation dedicated to not-for-profit theater and dance company funding.
Smith will be succeeded at both Shubert and the Shubert Foundation by Shubert’s current President and Co-CEO Robert E. Wankel. Smith will become Chairman Emeritus.
In a statement, Smith said, “The decision to retire feels exactly right at this time in my life. The current Covid-19 crisis has pushed the business of Broadway into uncharted territory. It seems an appropriate time for me to step down and turn over my leadership responsibilities to my friend and colleague, Bob Wankel.”
The many Shubert hits during Smith’s years at the company include Cats,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Hugh Jackman hailed Gerald Schoenfeld as a representative of "the very, very best of Broadway" at an all-star tribute to the late theatre legend on Monday.The actor was joined by a team of stars including Jeremy Irons, Dame Helen Mirren and Whoopi Goldberg as he presented the event honouring Schoenfeld, who died in November aged 84.
Schoenfeld brought dozens of hit shows to New York, including A Chorus Line, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera as the chairman of the Shubert Organization, which owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres.
During the two-hour memorial, held at New York's Majestic Theatre, the X-Men star recalled how Schoenfeld would stand in the wings several nights a week while Jackman performed the lead in the musical The Boy from Oz in 2003.
The star then told the crowd that Schoenfeld particularly liked his play's final number Once Before I Go, which he sang for Schoenfeld one last time.
Schoenfeld brought dozens of hit shows to New York, including A Chorus Line, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera as the chairman of the Shubert Organization, which owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres.
During the two-hour memorial, held at New York's Majestic Theatre, the X-Men star recalled how Schoenfeld would stand in the wings several nights a week while Jackman performed the lead in the musical The Boy from Oz in 2003.
The star then told the crowd that Schoenfeld particularly liked his play's final number Once Before I Go, which he sang for Schoenfeld one last time.
- 2/10/2009
- WENN
Gerald Schoenfeld has died of a heart attack at the age of 84.
The Broadway legend, who brought dozens of hit shows to New York, including A Chorus Line, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan.
He ran the largest theatre-owning enterprise in the United States as head of both the Shubert Organization, which owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres, and the Shubert Foundation, which helps to support nonprofit theatres and dance companies across the country.
Schoenfeld shared the role for 24 years with Bernard B. Jacobs, who died in 1996. The pair is credited with rescuing New York theatre during its downturn through the 1970s.
The two men were known as .the Shuberts., although they were not related to the three Shubert brothers who founded the theatre empire early in the 20th century, after acquiring Broadway hits Pippin, Equus and A Chorus Line - winner of a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize in 1975.
Among the musicals they were credited with producing or co-producing are Cats, Godspell, Ain.t Misbehavin', Dreamgirls, Dancin. and Sunday in the Park With George.
The pair also worked on non-musical plays The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Heidi Chronicles, The Gin Game and Amadeus.
While Schoenfeld is perhaps best known for his work as a producer, he also took a role in Woody Allen's 1984 film Broadway Danny Rose, after the director cast him for a cameo.
But Schoenfeld - who began working with the theatre legends as the company.s primary lawyer in 1957 - focused on maintaining the Shubert Organization's theatres, acquiring new properties and acting as the organization.s public spokesman.
He argued that the theatre was an economic engine for the city and deserved greater help from City Hall, and was instrumental in transforming Times Square from into the family-oriented district it is today.
Schoenfeld is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat; a brother, Irving; a daughter, Carrie Schoenfeld-Guglielmi; and two grandchildren.
The Broadway legend, who brought dozens of hit shows to New York, including A Chorus Line, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan.
He ran the largest theatre-owning enterprise in the United States as head of both the Shubert Organization, which owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres, and the Shubert Foundation, which helps to support nonprofit theatres and dance companies across the country.
Schoenfeld shared the role for 24 years with Bernard B. Jacobs, who died in 1996. The pair is credited with rescuing New York theatre during its downturn through the 1970s.
The two men were known as .the Shuberts., although they were not related to the three Shubert brothers who founded the theatre empire early in the 20th century, after acquiring Broadway hits Pippin, Equus and A Chorus Line - winner of a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize in 1975.
Among the musicals they were credited with producing or co-producing are Cats, Godspell, Ain.t Misbehavin', Dreamgirls, Dancin. and Sunday in the Park With George.
The pair also worked on non-musical plays The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Heidi Chronicles, The Gin Game and Amadeus.
While Schoenfeld is perhaps best known for his work as a producer, he also took a role in Woody Allen's 1984 film Broadway Danny Rose, after the director cast him for a cameo.
But Schoenfeld - who began working with the theatre legends as the company.s primary lawyer in 1957 - focused on maintaining the Shubert Organization's theatres, acquiring new properties and acting as the organization.s public spokesman.
He argued that the theatre was an economic engine for the city and deserved greater help from City Hall, and was instrumental in transforming Times Square from into the family-oriented district it is today.
Schoenfeld is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat; a brother, Irving; a daughter, Carrie Schoenfeld-Guglielmi; and two grandchildren.
- 11/26/2008
- WENN
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