Written by Kadeem Lundy

Yesterday, September 12th Broadway’s Cort Theatre was officially renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre after African American EGOT actor James Earl Jones during a special dedication ceremony. Jones began his legendary career at the theatre over 60 years ago when he made his acting debut in the 1958 Broadway play Sunrise at Campobello. Jones has acted in 21 Broadway plays throughout his career, most recently in the 2015 production of The Gin Game. He has also won three Tony Awards, which include a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The dedication ceremony in honor of Jones was attended by a number of Black Broadway and Hollywood acting legends which included Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, her sister famed actress, producer, and choreographer Debbie Allen, Courtney B. Vance, Wendell Pierce, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, Broadway director Kenny Leon, Norm Lewis, Samuel L. Jackson, and wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, James Jackson Jr., Brian Stokes Mitchell, Robert E. Wankel, Tamara Tunie, and Mayor Eric Adams.

Courtney B. Vance who starred with Jones in the original Broadway production of Fences used one word to define Jones’ legacy simply stating the word “humility” to describe what Jones represents. James Jackson Jr. described meeting Jones when he was 14 years old at the National Black Theatre Festival “I knew I was standing in the presence of greatness [even at 14]”, Jackson Jr. said. “[And] I still carry it with me every time I go to an audition, our forefathers and James Earl Jones is at the top of that list I’m sure”, Jackson Jr. added

Norm Lewis performed “Go the Distance” during the ceremony, and Brian Stokes Mitchell sang “Make Them Hear You”. Samuel L. Jackson spoke to attendees about seeing Jones perform in the original production of Fences. Following Jackson’s speech, Mayor Eric Adams shared how he connected with Jones through their similarities of battling issues of stuttering when speaking in their early years. After Mayor Adams issued a proclamation dedicating the day to James Earl Jones Theatre, he joined Shubert Organization President Robert E. Wankel in officially opening the newly renamed theatre by turning on the lights of the building with a push of a button.

Jones himself didn’t attend the official dedication ceremony however he had the chance to tour the theatre prior to the ceremony, in which a video of him was shown touring the theater.

The first production scheduled for the newly named James Earl Jones Theatre is the Ohio State Murders starring Audra McDonald.