An official announcement is expected May 13. Congress must first confirm Landesman's appointment. Landesman would succeed Dana Gioia in the position.

Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright Tony Kushner told the Times, "It's potentially the best news the arts community in the United States has had since the birth of Walt Whitman. He's an absolutely brilliant and brave and perfect choice for the job."

Once the nomination is official, Landesman, the Times reports, is expected to resign from his Jujamcyn position, but to "retain his ownership stake in the company."

Jujamcyn Theaters owns and runs five Broadway houses: the St. James, the Eugene O'Neill, the Al Hirschfeld, the Walter Kerr and the August Wilson.

Some of the hits Landesman has backed as producer: the award-winning plays Doubt, Proof, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Angels in America, The Grapes of Wrath and The Piano Lesson; the Tony-winning musicals Jersey Boys, The Producers and Big River; the Tony-winning revivals of Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Nine and Kiss Me, Kate; and the Tony-winning revival of Death of a Salesman.

Congress created the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965.