Is Jordan Roth the most successful theatre owner?

Jujamcyn certainly has been on a roll recently. Of course, it doesn't hurt that with only five theatres, if two have long-running hits, that's 40% of them raking in the money. However, in particular, the Walter Kerr and St James, have had more than their share of recent flops.

Most successful theater owner now? Very likely Jujamcyn. A good season with a hit or two has a disproportiante effect on smaller companies. But perhaps the stellar numbers for Harry Potter can compensate for the lackluster performance of the much smaller Hudson for ATG. And of course Disney owns one theater which still is packing 'em in for Aladdin.

I do agree, however, that Jordan Roth is a very creative soul who has Broadway in his blood and has been excellent in the properties he's chosen to produce and support - both from the artistic and business side. I believe the way he has maintained the "big hit in a small house" profitability for BoM for eight years and counting is partially testament to his savvy.

I'm sure there are a lot of numbers as to actual profitability, which could then be averaged by house, seat, whatever. (although non-profits and Disney make it more problematic, I believe). But, yes, Jujamcyn, under Jordan Roth, is doing very well right now. And I also think he's enjoying his time sitting in the catbird seat.

Updated On: 8/4/19 at 04:54 PM

EllieRose2 said: "Thanks to Daddy he is."

Was that really necessary? If anything one would say he’s successful on his own in spite of “Daddy”. Steven Roth is a major Trump supporter, and certainly no friend to the arts. Jordan could easily have become another Jared Kushner but chose not to.

JSquared2 said: "EllieRose2 said: "Thanks to Daddy he is."

Was that really necessary? If anything one would say he’s successful on his ownin spite of “Daddy”. Steven Roth is a major Trump supporter, and certainly no friend to the arts. Jordancould easily have become another Jared Kushner but chose not to."

Jordan Roth may be a neoliberal whereas his father is a conservative, but that’s not the point.

I actually do think it’s necessary to point out that Jordan has inherited all of his wealth, property, and his day-to-day job. It’s important for young people - heck, old people too - in the arts to know this so they don’t set unreasonable standards for themselves. Jordan Roth did not get where he is now because of hard work, determination, and luck. He inherited a well-established theater empire. You may disagree and I’d be interested to hear your thoughts, but I do think it’s important to note in today’s age. The rich are getting richer, it’s becoming impossible to succeed in this country if you don’t already come from some relative amount of money, and we should be calling it out.

theatregoer3 said: "I actually do think it’s necessary to point out that Jordan has inherited all of his wealth, property, and his day-to-day job. It’s important for young people - heck, old people too - in the arts to know this so they don’t set unreasonable standards for themselves.Jordan Roth did not get where he is now because of hard work, determination, and luck. He inherited a well-established theater empire. You may disagree and I’d be interested to hear your thoughts, but I do think it’s important to note in today’s age. The rich are getting richer, it’s becoming impossible to succeed in this country if you don’t already come from some relative amount of money,and we should be calling it out."

There have always been rich people in this (and most) countries. There is only one way to change that, and that is a subject well beyond the capabilities of this message board. That leaves us with two discuss-able observations. First, whether it is worth noting that a person of means can choose to use it for good, or not. (I think the answer to that has to be yes. There is no discernible reason to discourage rich people from doing good.) Second, is your pessimistic mindset about the impossibility of succeeding without inherited wealth valid? I think the answer to that is demonstrably no. Rich people fail, poor people succeed, just as good shows fails and lousy ones succeed. The cool thing is: there are no rules. (And in fact, most of the wealth generated in this century has been the result of the efforts of people who started with next to nothing. Does it help to have money? Maybe, if you have everything else lined up. Is it essential if you have everything else lined up? Nope.

Yes, Jordan's father is a billionaire thanks to his work in real estate, not in the theater. That enabled Jordan to get the best education money can buy but he also took advantage of that privilege and actually studied/worked hard. After all, he graduated Princeton University summa cum laude and not many trust fund kids can say they achieved that! He could have retired and led a life of leisure with all the money his parents had but he chose not to and instead worked his way up in Jujamcyn. Yes, I do think it is partial luck and timing thanks to Obama hiring Landesman as head of NEA back in 2008 thus opening the position of President to Jordan (who was VP anyway at the time.)

Defining success is different for each person but one thing Roth has certainly done as head of Jujamcyn is make more money for the company.

Regardless of our backgrounds, what's more important is what we do with what we have to help our society.

Updated On: 8/4/19 at 06:45 PM

JSquared2 said: "EllieRose2 said: "Thanks to Daddy he is."

Was that really necessary? If anything one would say he’s successful on his ownin spite of “Daddy”. Steven Roth is a major Trump supporter, and certainly no friend to the arts. Jordancould easily have become another Jared Kushner but chose not to.

And might we not have Daryl Roth to thank for that? Though Jordan might have had daddy’s money to buy things, he clearly got his calling from his mother (as well as his good taste-which you can't buy). I’m sure she opened more doors from him than Daddy’s cash (up until, of course he had to fork over for a share of Jujamcyn).

Though daddy might be perceived as no friend of the arts because of his association with Trump (ugh, pity), you can't say that about his mother. I’m sure a lot of that Vornado money was used by Daryl to back a pretty impressive roster of shows and that track record had profound influence on her son. I have no connection to her, but putting aside what the spread sheets actually say, perhaps the answer to the OP's question is "Thanks To Mommy he is."





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Source

https://variety.com/2020/legit/news/shubert-organization-philip-j-smith-broadway-1234642761/

To draw an analogy, reflecting on second generation children of first generation stars, I suspect that for every Michael Douglas, there were a number of Frank Sinatra Jr's or less. Nepotism helps, but talent, charisma, uniqueness, luck all play a role as well in achieving real success.

Too say that Jordan Roth has not benefited immensely by his father's wealth and mother's vision, contacts, etc., would be positively stupid. IMO he has taken those advantages and run with it. The one thing I do wonder about: were he not from a wealthy family with the expectation of eventually inheriting enormous wealth, would he have been hungrier, acquiring, building, producing, etc.

But IMO he is definitely to be commended for his successes.

The answer is no. Jordan Roth is not the most successful theatre owner.