Broadway & West End Theaters to Dim Their Lights in Honor of Jimmy Nederlander Sr.

Broadway and West End theaters will dim their lights in memory of legendary theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander Sr., who passed away on July 25 at age 94. Known as “Jimmy,” Nederlander was a visionary theatrical impresario; on August 3, the marquees of Broadway theaters in New York will be dimmed at exactly 7:45 PM for one minute, and dimmed in the West End in London at 7:00 PM before the evening’s performances commence.

“Jimmy Nederlander’s name has been synonymous with quality theatrical productions in New York City and throughout the United States throughout his career, and in recent years his name has also come to symbolize excellence and achievement when “The Jimmy Award” is presented annually at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. A tribute to his passion for arts education, his legacy will help to inspire the next generation of performers and enthusiasts,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League, in a statement. “Beloved by the industry, Jimmy was a loyal and trusted collaborator and a guiding mentor to so many. He was “one of a kind” and his indomitable spirit lives on throughout this country in the people he nurtured who are helping to make Broadway what it has become today. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of Society of London Theatre, added: “James Nederlander was a true titan of the theater industry. His beautiful theaters here in the West End, which are filled with thousands of people every night, are a testament to his vision and the organization he grew on both sides of the Atlantic. He was a friend and mentor to so many in the industry and he will be missed greatly. We are proud to acknowledge his extraordinary contribution to our industry with the dimming of London’s theater lights.”

During a career that spans 70 years, Nederlander amassed a network of premier legitimate theaters including nine on Broadway: the Brooks Atkinson, Gershwin, Lunt-Fontanne, Marquis, Minskoff, Nederlander, Neil Simon, Richard Rodgers, and the world-renowned Palace; Chicago: Auditorium and Bank of America Theatres, Broadway Playhouse, Cadillac Palace and Oriental Theatres; in Los Angeles, the Pantages Theatre; and in London, an interest in the Adelphi, Aldwych, and Dominion Theatres.

A recipient of many distinguished honors including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, Nederlander is survived by his wife Charlene S. Nederlander, his son James L. Nederlander and daughter-in-law Margo M. Nederlander, his grandchildren James M. Nederlander II and Kathleen M. Nederlander, his stepdaughter Kristina Gustafson and her children Gunnar Gustafson and Krisanna Gustafson.