Broadway Theater Renamed in Honor of James Earl Jones

The name James Earl Jones appears on the newly restored Cort Theatre on Broadway in New York on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The theater will be renamed after James Earl Jones on Monday, becoming the second theater on the Great White Way named after a Black artist. The move comes after a wide Broadway coalition of theater owners, producers, union leaders, creators and casting directors hammered out a series of reforms and commitments for the theater industry to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. (AP Photo/Mark Kennedy)

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Associated Press

September 12, 2022 at 2:58 PM UTC

Updated on

September 13, 2022 at 1:48 PM UTC

New York (AP) -- The newly restored Cort Theatre on Broadway has been renamed after James Earl Jones, becoming the second theater on the Great White Way named after a Black artist.

During Monday's ceremony included Norm Lewis singing “Go the Distance,” Brian Stokes Mitchell singing “Make Them Hear You” and words from Mayor Eric Adams, Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The 91-year-old Jones did not attend.