NEW YORK (AP) — The Shubert Organization’s Cort Theatre on Broadway will be renamed after James Earl Jones, fulfilling a
promise by the theater giant to honor a Black artist in such
a way.
According to a statement by the Shuberts,The James Earl Jones
Theatre renaming is "in recognition of Mr. Jones’ lifetime of
immense contributions to Broadway and the entire artistic
community,"
The Cort Theatre is 110 years old and was built by and named for
John Cort, general manager of the Northwestern Theatrical
Association, who died in 1929. There are 41 Broadway theaters,
four are named for women and now two for Black artists.
Jones, who served in the United States Army during the Korean
War before pursuing a career in acting, turned 91 in January.