On Nov. 8 the Nederlanders become the New York Landmark Conservancy’s first father/son duo to be named “Living Landmarks,” an honor that will be bestowed at the annual gala at the Plaza Hotel.
On conferring this accolade, Peg Breen, NY Landmark Conservancy's president, said in a statement, "It wouldn't be New York without Broadway. The Nederlanders are preserving the heart and soul of the City and providing great entertainment to boot." New York Congressmen Carolyn Maloney is commemorating this accolade with a proclamation read into the Congressional Record.
This honor "reflects the entrepreneurship and social contributions made by this nationally known company that began in 1912 when D.T. Nederlander (James M. Nederlander’s father) secures the lease on the Detroit Opera House," according to a press statement. Since then, the Nederlanders have become industry leaders in theatre ownership, the production of Broadway shows and the presentation of world-class theatrical and concert events on stages around the country and the world.
"This is a year of celebration for the company," said James L. Nederlander in a statement. "My grandfather started the company in 1912 at the age of 26. As we have done for the last century, Nederlander remains committed to producing and presenting the best in live entertainment for the next 100 years."
Nederlanders’ 100th anniversary also coincides with the opening night of Annie, a show that was originally produced by James M. Nederlander in 1977 and has since become one of the most beloved musicals. Annie opens Nov. 8 at the Palace Theatre, the first of 13 Broadway theatres James M. Nederlander purchased in New York since 1965. Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, stated, “The Nederlanders’ of the last 100 years is a uniquely American story of vision and determination, and a tradition of hard work that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The Nederlanders are Broadway royalty--as important to our industry as the Kennedys are to politics and the Fords are to automobiles. And, given the theaters Jimmy and his family have restored, the legion of artists they have supported, and the legacy of shows they have produced or presented over the last century, their contribution to our culture is as profound.” The Broadway League and The Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment recently honored James M. Nederlander with the first Spotlight Award for his "career-long dedication to supporting Broadway’s cultural legacy."
To mark its centennial, the Nederlander Organization has unveiled its new corporate identity, only the second official logo in the company’s history, designed by Julian Roca, co-founder and creative director of Creative X’s.
“As a theatre owner, producer and presenter of Broadway shows or concert events, the logo will usually co-exist with other names and artwork. Therefore, it has to be simple, strong, useable across many lines of business, and adaptable in all media,” explained Roca. “Given the breadth and scope of Nederlanders’ business activities, the name itself has become the brand. The new corporate identity features a classic, yet timeless 'N' placed center stage within a proscenium-like frame, doubled to signify how each generation builds upon the success of the one that came before. The color, Midnight Blue conveys integrity, stability and creativity. Although the company is in the business of presenting other artists, Nederlander has become a star in its own right in the galaxy of major American entertainment companies.”
Nederlanders’ commitment to the industry is reflected, in part, by its dedication to promoting theatre to new audiences through the annual presentation of The National High School Musical Theater Awards, named the Jimmy Award after James M. Nederlander.
Nederlander’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the 2012-13 season at their theatres across the country with special promotions and local events.
Visit www.nederlander.com to find out more information on centennial-themed events and special offers.
