A Broadway theater was renamed in honor of Lena Horne

For the primary time in history, Broadway’s famous row of theaters will now have a black woman’s name immortalized amongst its ranks.

The Nederlander Organization announced today that the Brooks Atkinson Theater will likely be officially renamed the Lena Horne Theater on November 1, in honor of the legendary entertainer.

Located at 256 West forty seventh Street, the theater has hosted productions resembling the Cotton Club-style musical in recent years. It opened in 1926 as The Mansfield in honor of actor Richard Mansfield, and was renamed the Brooks Atkinson Theater in 1960 in tribute to the famous drama critic.

Now the theater will likely be renamed once more in tribute to the long-lasting film and recording artist and civil rights activist, becoming the primary Broadway theater to be named after a black woman.

In the summer of 2020, the Nederlander Organization began the method of trying to find a legendary figure in black theater, for whom the Brooks Atkinson Theater was renamed in solidarity with Black Theater United. Given Horne’s groundbreaking history in entertainment – she was the primary black woman to be nominated for a Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical – and her organic connection to the theater (a play about her life and times was performed there in 1981), the alternative of the actress was obvious. .

The name change will likely be celebrated with an unveiling ceremony on forty seventh Street, which can even happen on November 1. Co-produced by Christina Selby and Jacquelyn Bell, the ceremony will feature special performances, remarks and the disclosing of a brand new marquee, kicking off with a block party featuring a live DJ to have a good time this historic moment for the theater community.

Legendary stars and luminaries from the Broadway and entertainment community are also expected to hitch the celebration.

The official opening of the Lena Horne Theater will happen on November 1, 2022.