Shubert family
Encyclopedia
The Shubert family of New York City
, New York
was responsible for the establishment of the Broadway
district, in New York City
, as the hub of the theatre industry in the United States
. The family's American history began, in 1882, with Duvvid Schubart (transliterated to "Shubert") and his wife Katrina Helwitz, who left their native Poland
, with their seven children, to settle in Syracuse, New York
.
The three Shubert sons had to forgo much in the way of formal education and go to work when they were very young. Introduced to the world of the theatre, the three brothers broke the monopoly on the theatre-management industry (represented by the Theatrical Syndicate
under Abe Erlanger) and Mark Klaw in the foundation of rival agency the Shubert Organization
.
Among the organization's Manhattan
holdings were the renowned Winter Garden Theatre
(at 1634 Broadway), the Sam S. Shubert
(at 221 West 44th Street), and the Imperial Theatres. By 1924 they had 86 theatres in the United States alone. By 1953 they had produced 600 shows under their credits and had booked 1,000 shows into their numerous theatres.By the 1920s, they owned, operated, managed or booked over 1,000 theatres nationwide.
In 1942 they owned, leased or managed 20 of New York City's approximately 40 legitimate theatres and controlled some 15 in other cities.As of 2009, the Shubert Organization owns seventeen Broadway theatres in New York City, as well as the Shubert Theatre in Boston
, the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, and manages the National Theatre
in Washington, D.C.
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
was responsible for the establishment of the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
district, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, as the hub of the theatre industry in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The family's American history began, in 1882, with Duvvid Schubart (transliterated to "Shubert") and his wife Katrina Helwitz, who left their native Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, with their seven children, to settle in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
The three Shubert sons had to forgo much in the way of formal education and go to work when they were very young. Introduced to the world of the theatre, the three brothers broke the monopoly on the theatre-management industry (represented by the Theatrical Syndicate
Theatrical Syndicate
-Beginnings:One day, early in the year 1896, six men gathered for lunch at the Holland House in New York City. These men were Charles Frohman, Al Hayman, A.L. Erlanger, Marc Klaw, Samuel F. Nirdlinger, and Frederick Zimmerman...
under Abe Erlanger) and Mark Klaw in the foundation of rival agency the Shubert Organization
The Shubert Organization
The Shubert Organization is a theatrical producing organization and a major owner of legitimate theatres based in Manhattan, New York City. It was founded by the Shubert brothers, Sam S. Shubert, Lee Shubert, and Jacob J. Shubert of Syracuse, New York in the late 19th century in upstate New York,...
.
Among the organization's Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
holdings were the renowned Winter Garden Theatre
Winter Garden Theatre
The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 1634 Broadway in midtown Manhattan.-History:The structure was built by William Kissam Vanderbilt in 1896 to be the American Horse Exchange....
(at 1634 Broadway), the Sam S. Shubert
Shubert Theatre (Broadway)
The Shubert Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 225 West 44th Street in midtown-Manhattan, New York, United States.Designed by architect Henry Beaumont Herts, it was named after Sam S. Shubert, the second oldest of the three brothers of the theatrical producing family...
(at 221 West 44th Street), and the Imperial Theatres. By 1924 they had 86 theatres in the United States alone. By 1953 they had produced 600 shows under their credits and had booked 1,000 shows into their numerous theatres.By the 1920s, they owned, operated, managed or booked over 1,000 theatres nationwide.
In 1942 they owned, leased or managed 20 of New York City's approximately 40 legitimate theatres and controlled some 15 in other cities.As of 2009, the Shubert Organization owns seventeen Broadway theatres in New York City, as well as the Shubert Theatre in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, and manages the National Theatre
National Theatre (Washington, D.C.)
The National Theatre is located in Washington, D.C., and is a venue for a variety of live stage productions with seating for 1,676.Despite its name, it is not a governmentally funded national theatre, but operated by a private, non-profit organization....
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Family
The Shubert children:- Lee ShubertLee ShubertLevi "Lee" Shubert was a Polish-born American theatre owner/operator and producer and the oldest of seven siblings of the theatrical Shubert family....
(1871-1953), theatre owner/operator, producer - Fannie Shubert (1872-1928)
- Lisa Shubert (1875-1893)
- Sarah Shubert (1876-1934)
- Sam S. Shubert (1878-1905), producer, writer, director, theatre owner/operator; died at age 26, from train accident
- Jacob J. ShubertJacob J. ShubertJacob J. Shubert was naturalized American theatre owner/operator and producer and a member of the famous theatrical Shubert family....
(1879-1963), producer, director, theatre owner/operator - Dora Shubert (1886-1951) born in Syracuse, New York
Further reading
- Jerry Stagg (1968, 1969). The Brothers Shubert. Ballantine Books (mass market paperback), ISBN 978-0-345-21789-9