The Broadway community mourns the loss of Chairman of the Nederlander Organization, theatre owner, operator, producer and presenter James M. Nederlander, who passed away on July 25th at age 94. James M. Nederlander, “Jimmy,” was a visionary theatrical impresario who built one of the largest private live entertainment companies in the world.

Venues across the West End in London and on Broadway will be dimming their lights in his honor on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed at exactly 7:45pm for one minute, and dimmed on the West End in London at 7:00pm before the evening’s performances commence.

“Jimmy Nederlander’s name has been synonymous with quality theatrical productions in New York City and throughout the United States throughout his career, and in recent years his name has also come to symbolize excellence and achievement when “The Jimmy™ Award” is presented annually at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. A tribute to his passion for arts education, his legacy will help to inspire the next generation of performers and enthusiasts,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League.

During a career that spans 70 years, he has amassed a network of premier legitimate theatres including nine on Broadway, five in Chicago, one in Los Angeles and three in London. He is credited with developing the outdoor amphitheatre concept as the developer of several premier venues and as the decades-long operator of the Greek Theatre. He has presented headline artists including Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, and a legion of others. In 1972, Mr. Nederlander and his pals Earl Blackwell, Gerald Oestricher and Arnold Weissberg founded the Theatre Hall of Fame, which is still housed in the lobby of the Gershwin Theatre. In 1973, he partnered with George Steinbrenner to purchase the New York Yankee Baseball Club.

He has produced over one hundred of the most acclaimed Broadway musicals and plays including Annie, Applause, La Cage aux Folles, Me and My Girl, Nine, Noises Off, Peter Pan, Sweet Charity, The Will Rogers Follies, Woman of the Year, and many more.

Mr. Nederlander is survived by his wife Charlene S. Nederlander, his son James L. Nederlander and daughter-in-law Margo M. Nederlander, his grandchildren James M. Nederlander II and Kathleen M. Nederlander, his stepdaughter Kristina Gustafson and her children Gunnar Gustafson and Krisanna Gustafson.