1924 - 2008
Members of the Broadway theatre community share their thoughts, condolences and memories about the life and career of Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of The Shubert Organization, who died Nov. 25.
DARYL ROTH, producer and theatre owner
"He was just such the gentleman of the theatre. When I was starting out [as a producer] 20 years ago, he was a person I had known through friends. When I began producing, he was always very gracious and encouraging to me. He was always anxious to hear what everyone was doing, he was excited to know. For people just starting out, he was very excited to know what plays were interesting to you. You always like someone to feel like they're rooting for you. And he was very caring about the people who worked in the shows in his theatres, very caring about the artists. That's the most important thing, making people who work for you feel cared for."
PHILIP S. BIRSH, president and publisher, Playbill
"It is with great sadness that we learn today of the death of Gerald Schoenfeld. All of Gerald Schoenfeld's friends and colleagues at Playbill mourn his passing. He was a great friend of Playbill and the Birsh family for over 40 years. We will miss him greatly. We send our condolences to his widow Pat and his entire family. His immense impact on the theatre and the theatre community will be felt for decades."
HUGH JACKMAN, actor
"Jerry was one of the true greats — a class act through and through. I am heartbroken to hear of his passing and know Broadway's lights will never shine quite as bright with him gone. This is a great loss to the theatre community and beyond. His brilliance, kindness, and creativity will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
MICHAEL P. PRICE, executive director, Goodspeed Musicals
"I've known him for 40 years. He was a mentor, a friend, and he didn't hesitate to tell me what he thought — and how to guide my life. I was very fortunate to have him as a friend. I met him and [late Shubert partner Bernard B. Jacobs] at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center. He was a father figure to me…and they were teachers, Bernie and Jerry together. He loved the theatre, it was in his blood, he pulsed with it. [After the Broadway run of the musical Amour], Jerry kept pushing me to do it at Goodspeed. I've never produced a play that someone else told me, 'you've gotta do it.' Jerry called and said, 'I love Amour.' It turned out to be one of the most beautiful productions we've done. It was Jerry's baby. He kept pushing me to do it. He loved its humanity…it was about people, it was about love."
MARK ZIMMERMAN, president, and JOHN P. CONNOLLY, executive director, Actors' Equity Association
"Gerald Schoenfeld was a true man of the theatre and unequaled in his vision and leadership. A gentleman in every way, he was also a fair but tough bargainer at the negotiating table and worked tirelessly to make Broadway the gold standard in American theatre. His passing is a great loss to us all, and our sympathies go to his family, The Shubert Organization and our colleagues in the theatre."
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, composer
"I adored Jerry. My standing joke with him was that he should play Max in Sunset Boulevard. We bantered back and forth all the time. Broadway has lost a fantastic personality. My best to Pat at this difficult time."
ARIELLE TEPPER MADOVER, producer
"I first met Jerry in 1998 at the downtown production of Freak, but he had known my family for many years. He introduced himself and said, 'Come see me at the office.' I was 25 and scared to produce my first Broadway show, but through it all, he'd always say to me, 'Don't worry about it. It will be fine.' That was Jerry. I've never had a show that wasn't in one of his houses. He was always so encouraging — that is the thing that will be hardest about this. He was always behind me, always there for me, always watching out for me — no matter what the situation was. Doing a show without him will never be the same."
NEIL PEPE, director
"This is a sad day for the American theatre. Gerald Schoenfeld was one-of-a-kind and a true theatre legend. His passing feels like the end of an era. It is an honor to have directed my first Broadway show, Speed-the-Plow, in one of his beautiful theatres."
PETER SCHNEIDER, producer
"Even the first time I met Jerry, 30 years ago, he was a larger-than-life force. He was passionate and demanding and made it seem that the impossible was expected. He mentored so many of this generation's leadership. I will miss his laugh and hugs."
OSKAR EUSTIS, artistic director, The Public Theater
"Jerry was a larger-than-life figure. He was a smart businessman and producer, but it was his love for the theatre, and the shows he produced, that will stay with me. I watched him fall in love with Stew and Passing Strange last year, and it was all the more beautiful because it was obvious even Jerry couldn't really explain why this story of a young African-American artist from Los Angeles moved him so much. (The closest he came was to describe their similar waistlines: 'Mesomorphs have to stick together.') But what he loved, he supported, and Passing Strange would never have gone to Broadway without him. As he did with so many of us, Jerry took me under his wing, gave me the tour of the Shubert offices, passed on the stories and knowledge gleaned from a lifetime of working on Broadway. On our second meeting, he took me into his office and read to me the first chapter of his still-unpublished memoirs. I was enthralled: they were smart, direct, and startlingly frank about his organization and career. His anger was formidable but his heart was generous. I never doubted that he saw himself as part of a community and of a noble profession. To say that he will be missed is trying to put words on the unnamable: none of us can imagine Broadway without him."
ANDREW D. HAMINGSON, executive director, The Public Theater
"I remember the first time I met Jerry: when he lectured at a class I was taking at NYU. For all of us who were just starting in the business, the chance to hear from Mr. Schoenfeld (or 'Mr. Shubert,' as we called him) was worth all of that tuition that we paid. Sure, he shared the war stories and talked about what it was like to run his incredible theatre organization — but what was life-changing was how he gently grilled us when we asked a question. 'What is it that you really want to know?' he would ask again and again — not being dismissive or cranky, but wanting the students to get at the essence of the question. He was, after all, an attorney and this was his way of teaching a bunch of theatre manager wannabes the Socratic Method: Get to the meat of the matter. Jerry was always happy to take a few minutes at an opening night or at a Broadway Association lunch to ask, 'How's it going, kid? What's on the horizon at your theatre?' And encouraging me to keep up the good work — keep doing great theatre. I will dearly miss that encouragement and that grilling. My thoughts are with Pat, all of Jerry's family, and the entire Shubert team."
RANDALL L. WREGHITT, producer
"There are those people who as soon as you meet them, you just know how lucky you are to count them as your friend. Jerry's kindness and generosity to me for the past 15 years has been such a part of my career as a producer. Whether it was discussing a show, an opening night, or just to catch up, I would look forward to those meetings and phone calls. His wit...his wisdom...and all those wonderful stories! I simply cannot believe he is gone..."
BERNADETTE PETERS, actress
"I can't imagine not seeing him at every opening night, sitting on the aisle. He was a great friend and supporter of the Broadway community. There will be a large void, and I will miss him."
BOB BOYETT, producer
"On a day like today I can only think of my personal relationship with Jerry. From the very day I produced my first Broadway show, he gave me advice and guidance like a friend. He was never too busy to inquire about my personal health and well being. Although a man with great love for theatre and for the practice of good business principles, he was first and foremost a person who cared about people. He did expect a high standard of good behavior and decorum, but he was one of the most loyal people I have ever known. His many acts of personal kindness are too numerous to ever be recorded. He was always there for the worthy who needed a job or a little support along the way. Jerry was also a great wit and raconteur. To sit with him in his office and hear his many theatrical anecdotes was pure joy. I shall miss him terribly."
HOWARD SHERMAN, executive director, American Theatre Wing
"For generations now, it has been impossible to speak about Broadway without thinking of the enormous impact of Gerald Schoenfeld. His career was integral to the life of the Great White Way, and we hope that Pat and his family take comfort in knowing that his influence and his profound love of theatre has been felt and will continue to be felt by artists and audiences for generations to come."
SCOTT SANDERS, producer
"Jerry Schoenfeld was a consummate professional and a delightful gentleman. For over three decades he has been a friend, a mentor and, in every dealing I ever had with him, was someone whose word was his bond. He will be missed."
CHRIS BONEAU and ADRIAN BRYAN-BROWN, theatrical press agents, Boneau/Bryan-Brown
"[We] and everyone at BBB mourn the passing of Gerald Schoenfeld. Jerry was a true gentleman of the theatre who gave his heart and soul to Broadway. During his long and legendary career, he brought great talents to his theatres, championed the works of many artists and and brought tremendous joy to many, many people. Gerald Schoenfeld was a true leader, a mentor to scores of people within our industry and a remarkable teacher so willing to share his vast knowledge and love of the theatre. To say he was one of a kind is an understatement. He will be sorely missed."
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