Hooray For James Earl Jones But When Are Theatre’s Named For Amazing Women Going To Be A Thing?

Definitely can see the St. James be renamed for Carol Channing as that's where she blew audiences away with her performance in Hello, Dolly!

Malinda5000 said: "Sure… we have The Helen Hayes and The Lunt-Fontanne which by the way Ms. Lynn is sharing with Alfred."

Let's not forget the Ethel Barrymore and Vivian Beaumont!

KingOfTheMine said: "Malinda5000 said: "Sure… we have The Helen Hayes and The Lunt-Fontanne which by the way Ms. Lynn is sharing with Alfred."

Let's not forget the Ethel Barrymore and Vivian Beaumont!"

Yes…Thank you for reminding me.  

pmensky said: "Cicely Tyson should be next."

While it would not be undeserving, I would think that people like Pearl Bailey and Ruby Dee would be ahead of her for naming purposes. Tyson's impact has been more on TV and film.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "pmensky said: "Cicely Tyson should be next."

While it would not be undeserving, I would think that people like Pearl Bailey and Ruby Dee would be ahead of her for naming purposes. Tyson's impact has been more on TV and film."

I would also add Audra McDonald to the list before the legendary Ms Tyson. While I agree Cicely Tyson was/is a legend, its her impact on the film and TV industries that made her a legend. Bailey, Dee, and McDonald's work truly impacted the American theater industry. Specifically talking about McDonald, the conversation should not be if she will receive the honor of having a Broadway theater named in her honor, but when. In truth if 2nd Stage were ever successful in their attempt to sell the re-naming rights to the Helen Hayes, I think the only acceptable replacement for the former first lady of American theater, is the current first lady of American theater, Audra McDonald. I do have to wonder though when a theater is eventually named/renamed for Audra McDonald, will its shortened name be "The McDonald" or "The Audra"? 

 

Audra McDonald is a no-brainer, but she may also be superstitious of having a Broadway house named for her at only age 51...in some ways it could feel like "your career is all downhill from here." To me, that conversation kind of feels like a non-starter for another 15-25 years. She feels like the type who would, at this point in her life, say "that's a nice offer but what about X people who came before me and paved the way?"

Okay, but truly, an Audra McDonald Theatre feels (deservedly) inevitable. I wonder which theatre it would be if/when it happens. I always associate her most with what is now the Lyric, but that's probably just because that's the theater where I personally first saw her. Oh, Ragtime. 

Why just actors?  The Stroman, The Paulus, The Nottage...the list goes on and on!  We need more theatres!

I'd love to see a new musical in the Chita Rivera Theatre one day.

bdn223 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "It WAY too early, but Audra McDonald having won a Tony Award in BOTH Acting categories for Plays and Musicals is a no-brainer"

Yes, but when it does eventually happen, will it be "The Audra" or "The McDonald" for short?"

I'll just call it McDonald's Theater

Angela Lansbury should have a theater named after her.

Updated On: 3/3/22 at 09:30 AM

I won't get into the merits of the dozens of people who are always suggested when this question comes up but I will say for actors, a key criteria should be that the performer worked regularly on Broadway throughout their career. Some of the names mentioned worked in a bunch of productions in supporting roles early in their career before they became famous and then returned much later in their career to do a few roles as stars. That to me does not merit a naming. Someone who's returned to the theater decade after decade regardless of how famous they got or how much they worked in films or on TV has to be a deciding factor. James Earl Jones passes that test with flying colors doing multiple Broadway shows every single decade of his career with the single exception of the 90's. Many of the other names mentioned do not.