Jujamcyn Theaters
Jujamcyn Theaters LLC /dʒuːˈdʒæmsɪn/, formerly the Jujamcyn Amusement Corporation, is a theatrical producing and theatre-ownership company in New York City. For many years Jujamcyn was owned by James H. Binger, former Chairman of Honeywell, and his wife, Virginia McKnight Binger. The organization is now held by its president, Jordan Roth, and president emeritus, Rocco Landesman.
The third-largest theatre owner on
History
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William L. McKnight, former chairman of 3M, owned several theatres, two in New York and one in Boston. McKnight's daughter, Virginia McKnight Binger and her husband, James H. Binger, a top executive at Honeywell, shared a love of theatre. In 1976 when William McKnight wanted to sell his theatres, Binger stepped in to assist.[1] He found the business fascinating, and after paying the gift tax and selling the Colonial Theatre in Boston, he and Virginia agreed to own and later expand the operation on Broadway.
Jujamcyn derives its name from the names of McKnight's grandchildren, the Bingers' children: Ju[dith], Jam[es], and Cyn[thia]. Over time Binger expanded Jujamcyn to five theatres to create the third-largest theatre-owning company on Broadway. The five Jujamcyn theatres are:
- St. James Theatre (acquired in 1957 by McKnight)[2]
- Al Hirschfeld Theatre (formerly the Martin Beck Theatre,[3] acquired in 1966 by McKnight)[4]
- August Wilson Theatre (formerly the Virginia Theatre,[5] acquired in 1981)[6]
- Eugene O'Neill Theatre (acquired in 1982)[7]
- Walter Kerr Theatre (formerly the Ritz Theatre,[8] acquired in 1981)[9]
In 1987 Binger brought in
After the Bingers' deaths
Virginia Binger died in 2002, and James Binger died in 2004.[13]
In 2009 after 22 years with Jujamcyn, Landesman was tapped by the
In 2013, Roth bought the majority stake of Jujamcyn, making him the youngest principal owner of a Broadway theatre chain.[16] Since Roth took over, Jujamcyn theaters have been home to notable shows including Tony-award winners The Book of Mormon, Springsteen on Broadway, Kinky Boots, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and Clybourne Park among many others.[17] As part of a settlement with the United States Department of Justice in 2021, Jujamcyn agreed to improve disabled access at its five Broadway theaters.[18][19] The same year, Roth hired SeatGeek to manage ticket sales for all five of Jujamcyn's theaters; previously, Ticketmaster had been in charge of ticket sales.[20]
In February 2023, it was announced that Jujamcyn would merge with Ambassador Theatre Group, although it was unclear what the combined company would be called. The agreement would give the combined company seven Broadway theaters, and Jordan Roth was to be appointed as the creative director for the company.[21][22]
List of theaters
| Theatre[23] | Address | Seats [24] |
|---|---|---|
| St. James Theatre | 246 West 44th Street | 1,701 |
| Al Hirschfeld Theatre | 302 West 45th Street | 1,412 |
| August Wilson Theatre | 245 West 52nd Street | 1,222 |
| Eugene O'Neill Theatre | 230 West 49th Street | 1,030 |
| Walter Kerr Theatre | 218 West 48th Street | 931 |
Former theaters
- Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, Baltimore (1995–2000) sold to SFX Theatricals[25][26]
- Royal George Theatre, Chicago (1993–1997) sold to Reading Entertainment[27]
- Weidner Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin (1995–1998) producing partner[28]
- Orpheum Theatre and State Theatre, Minneapolis (1995–2000) producing partner, sold to SFX Theatricals[26][29]
- Portland Civic Auditorium, Portland, Oregon (1994–2000) producing partner, sold to SFX Theatricals[26][31]
See also
- Broadway theatre
- Jujamcyn Award - award given for 20+ years to outstanding theatre organizations
References
Notes
- ProQuest 1401295438.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ "Rocco Landesman named Jujamcyn Theaters Head" New York Times, June 10, 1987
- ^ "How a High Roller Bets on Broadway" New York Times article, June 3, 1990
- ^ McKnight Foundation : About Archived 2007-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ Paeth, Greg (2005-08-22). "Investor Group Has Local Links". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A1. Archived from the original on 2006-02-04.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (2013-01-22). "Jordan Roth Is Now Principal Owner of Broadway's Jujamcyn Theaters". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (2013-01-21). "Roth ups his stake in Jujamcyn". Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- ^ "Broadway's Jujamcyn Theaters To Improve Accessibility In Settlement". Deadline. July 14, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 14, 2023). "Broadway Theatre Owners Jujamcyn and Ambassador Theatre Group Joining Forces". Playbill. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (2013-01-21). "Roth ups his stake in Jujamcyn". Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- ^ Playbill.com Broadway Grosses, Dec 7, 2009
- ^ a b [articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-07-28/features/1995209001_1_jujamcyn-theaters-mechanic-1995-1996-season N.Y. producers expected to restore luster as pre-Broadway theater New deal can help Mechanic clean up its act]
- ^ a b c d Twin Cities-based show producer Jujamcyn is sold to N.Y. giant SFX
- ^ Royal George Theatre Getting New Owners
- ^ Weidner Center lays off half its staff
- ^ "Downtown theater season announced". Star Tribune. October 25, 1995.
- ^ "Opera Omaha Plans to Lure More Musicals Organization In Minneapolis Will Be Partner". Omaha World-Herald. February 6, 1995.
- ^ "SECOND BROADWAY SERIES APPROVED". The Oregonian. July 14, 1994.
- ^ "Ordway aims to expand its presence". Star Tribune. February 5, 1992.
- ^ "Jujamcyn says it will end link with Ordway". Star Tribune. December 31, 1994.
