Broadway will pay tribute to Shubert Organization Chairman Emeritus Philip J. Smith with a traditional light dimming set for March 22 at 6:30 PM. 

Mr. Smith retired from a more than 63–year career in the theatre in June 2020, and died in January of last year.

“Phil Smith was the epitome of class and a true treasure to the community,” says Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin. “His work on behalf of Broadway was extraordinary, and we were most fortunate at the League for his 36 years of service where he made a great difference serving on the Board of the League, the Executive Committee, and the Labor Committee. He was a master storyteller and a passionate Broadway lover who devoted his life and career to keeping Broadway vibrant and successful. He has left a lasting legacy to the city of New York and to Broadway.”

Mr. Smith began his career as a box-office treasurer at the Shubert-owned Imperial Theatre on Broadway in 1957. He was brought into the Organization’s administrative offices in 1965 as Shubert President Bernard Jacobs’ chief aide and steadily rose through the ranks, to vice president and then executive vice president, and ultimately board chair and co-CEO.

The Shubert Organization, as previously reported, will celebrate the life of Mr. Smith with a memorial March 22 at 1 PM at the Music Box Theatre. The afternoon service is open to the public, and all COVID protocols will be observed.