Broadway theater will be renamed after James Earl Jones

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.

The James Earl Jones Theatre renaming is 'œin recognition of Mr. Jones' lifetime of immense contributions to Broadway and the entire artistic community,'ť according to a statement by the Shuberts.

The move comes less than a year after a wide Broadway coalition of theater owners, producers, union leaders, creators and casting directors hammered out a series of reforms and commitments for the theater industry to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

One requirement of the New Deal for Broadway is that the Shubert, Nederlander and Jujamcyn chains have at least one of their theaters named after a Black artist. (Jujamcyn already has the August Wilson Theatre.)

'œFor me standing in this very building 64 years ago at the start of my Broadway career, it would have been inconceivable that my name would be on the building today,'ť Jones, 91, said in a statement. 'œLet my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors.'ť

Jones has appeared in 21 Broadway productions, including two at the Cort Theatre. He is an Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-winner, including stage awards for best actor for 'œThe Great White Hope'ť and 'œFences,'ť as well as a lifetime achievement award in 2017.

The Cort Theatre - at 138 W. 48th St. - 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.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits