Shubert Organization – the guide of Broadway’s major theater company

The largest theater operator on Broadway, currently owning and managing Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters in New York

Overview
History
Business operations
Jewish community in New York
List of theaters
Broadway musical discount tickets – On sale now!

Overview of the Shubert Organization

Founders: the Shubert brothers

The three Shubert brothers from left: Sam Shubert, Jacob Shubert, Lee Shubert

The Shubert Organization was founded in 1900 by three brothers of Lithuanian Jewish descent: Lee Shubert, Sam S. Shubert, and Jacob J. Shubert.

Recognized as New York’s oldest theater-owning company, the Shuberts have managed more than one hundred theaters and produced over five hundred shows across their long history. As the largest theater owner on Broadway, the company is often referred to simply as “the Shuberts.”

History of the Shubert Organization

From Lithuania to Syracuse, New York

The Shubert family came from Kudirkos Naumiestis, a small city in Lithuania (a part of the Russian Empire at that time).

In 1882, parents Duvvid Schubart and Katrina Helwitz immigrated with their seven children to Syracuse, New York. Syracuse, at that time, was a growing commercial center that attracted many families seeking work. Because their father struggled with alcoholism, the brothers left school early to support the household. Lee, at 10, and Sam, at 8, sold newspapers outside small theaters, which sparked a lasting interest in the stage.

The Shuberts and the Belasco Theatre

Sam Shubert briefly acted in plays by David Belasco, a major Broadway producer and owner of the Belasco Theatre. Inspired by Belasco’s management style, Sam left acting to work at the theater and learn the business.

The brothers then worked at the Grand Opera House box office and later at the Wieting Theatre in Syracuse, gaining accounting and managerial experience. With Sam leading operations, Lee expanding deals, and Jacob handling outside bookings, they successfully ran several upstate New York theaters, laying the foundation for the Shubert Organization.

Learn more about the Belasco Theatre >>

The birth of the Shubert Organization

A subsidiary of the Shubert Organization

In 1900 the brothers formally established the Shubert Organization and moved their base to New York City. They expanded rapidly by producing shows and acquiring theaters. In 1905, Sam Shubert died in a train accident at age 26, but Lee and Jacob continued building the enterprise. During the 1910s and 1920s they opened landmark venues including the Winter Garden Theatre, the Shubert Theatre, and the Imperial Theatre. Through the 1930s and 1940s they produced hit shows year after year and became a dominant force on Broadway.

In 1945 they founded the Shubert Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving vital theaters and supporting live theater and dance. The foundation continues to be a leading supporter of performing arts organizations across the United States.

Revival under new leadership

The musical Cats at the Winter Garden Theatre

After Lee (1953) and Jacob (1963) passed away, production activity slowed. In 1972 the company was reorganized under chairman Gerald Schoenfeld and president Bernard B. Jacobs, revitalizing operations and launching numerous Tony Award winning shows. The Shubert Organization now owns and operates 17 Broadway theaters and 2 Off Broadway venues. At the Winter Garden Theatre, Cats became the longest running Broadway show in 1997 when it surpassed A Chorus Line, and ultimately completed 7,485 performances before closing in 2000.

Leadership later passed to Philip J. Smith and Robert E. Wankel. In 2016 the organization sold its longtime offices at 1700 Broadway and relocated its headquarters to West 44th Street near the Shubert Theatre in the heart of the Theater District.

Business operations of the Shubert Organization

The Shubert Organization owns and operates 19 theaters in Manhattan, including 17 Broadway houses and 2 Off Broadway venues. In addition to producing shows and revenue from ticketing and merchandise, the company is active in several related areas.

Shubert Ticketing

Sam S. Shubert Theatre, named for Sam S. Shubert

Launched in 1979, Shubert Ticketing is one of the most widely used ticketing services for live entertainment. It partners with travel agencies and third party sellers and handles millions of tickets annually through web sales and box offices. Services include real time seat availability, online purchasing, and licensed agency sales. Our site is an authorized seller of Shubert discount tickets.

Real estate ventures

To fund theater preservation and operations, the Shubert Organization sold development rights above several theaters between roughly 2000 and 2005, generating about 50 million dollars. In 2014, it sold air rights above the Majestic Theatre and the Broadhurst Theatre for approximately 17.1 million dollars to Algin Management, which developed a new building nearby. These transactions provided significant capital while keeping the theaters active.

Philanthropy

For decades the organization has invested in improving New York’s Theater District, including energy efficient renovations across its venues and participation in civic projects. Through the Shubert Foundation, it supports performing arts organizations nationwide to ensure the long term vitality of live theater.

Jewish community in New York

New York, one of the world’s largest Jewish communities

An immigration poster for Jewish arrivals in New York in the 1820s

Jewish Americans are people in the United States with Jewish ancestry, many with roots in Central and Eastern Europe. They account for roughly two percent of the U.S. population, and New York City is home to the country’s largest Jewish community. Waves of German and Eastern European Jewish immigration helped shape neighborhoods from the Upper East and Upper West Sides to the historic Lower East Side. Yiddish language and culture fostered a vibrant theater scene known as the Yiddish Theatre District, which influenced the development of Broadway. The Orpheum Theatre and other venues in the East Village still reflect this heritage today.

Learn more about Yiddish culture >>

Contributions to American entertainment

From Broadway to film and television, creators of Jewish heritage have played an important role in American arts and culture. The traditions of Yiddish theater emphasized humor, music, and resilience, and they helped lay the groundwork for the modern Broadway musical.

List of venues operated by the Shubert Organization

Here is the list of Broadway venues operated by the Shubert Organization, the largest of the three major Broadway landlords. Follow each link for theater details.