NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) – The Todd Haimes Theatre, formerly known as the American Airlines Theatre and the flagship home of Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway, now pays tribute to late artistic director and chief executive Todd Haimes – who passed away at the age of 66 in April 2023 from osteosarcoma complications. Scott Ellis is currently serving as Roundabout’s interim artistic director.
Ellis remarked on this occasion: “The Todd Haimes Theatre represents not only a physical space but a testament to Todd’s legacy and his profound impact on the theatre community.”
Kicking off its new name, the theatre will host the first Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt: A Parable, directed by Ellis. The season will conclude with Home by Samm-Art Williams, directed by Kenny Leon.
The upcoming season promises a diverse lineup, including the premiere of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang, directed by Leigh Silverman; the Broadway debut of Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award-winning English, directed by Knud Adams; and a fresh, jazz-infused, New Orleans-style adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, crafted by Rupert Holmes, choreographed by Warren Carlyle, and directed by Ellis.
Reflecting on the venue’s historical significance, Ellis remarked, “This theatre has witnessed a remarkable transformation, both physically and artistically, under Todd’s vision and leadership.”
Originally known as the Selwyn Theatre, the venue was designed by architect George Keister and built in 1918. After serving as a cinema for several decades, it faced neglect during a decline within the theater district. New 42nd Street, an urban redevelopment organization, took charge of the Selwyn in the ’90s, leasing it to Roundabout Theatre Company.
Under Haimes’ oversight, the Selwyn underwent extensive renovations, including restoring its historic interior. The theater’s seating capacity was reduced to 750, and a penthouse lobby deck, the only outdoor gathering space among nearby theaters, was added. Reopened in 2000 as the American Airlines Theatre, it became a stage for acclaimed productions such as Big River (2003), The Pajama Game (2006), On the Twentieth Century (2015), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2016), A Soldier’s Play (2020), and Trouble in Mind (2021).
Haimes was a driving force at Roundabout for nearly 40 years and played a critical role in transforming a struggling company into one of New York City’s leading cultural institutions. Joining the company in 1983 at age 26, Haimes oversaw its expansion to five Broadway and off-Broadway spaces, presenting a vast range of classics and world premieres. Reflecting on Haimes’ legacy, Ellis stated, “Todd’s vision and dedication have left an indelible mark, shaping this theatre into a vibrant hub for artistic expression.”
