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The Exquisite Showman

Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer

T

heatrical empire owner and
and purchasing the Palace Theatre.
legendary producer James M.
His hard work, pioneering spirit and
“Jimmy” Nederlander, the man
vision enabled him to build a theatrical
who made Detroit one of the most suc-
empire that became one of the largest
cessful theater cities in the country and
private live entertainment companies
who was known as one of Broadway’s
in the world. Today the Nederlander
“founding fathers,” died July 25, 2016,
Organization encompasses venue own-
in Southhampton, N.Y. He
ership and management, the-
was 94.
atrical producing and concert
During his 70-plus year
presentation, merchandising,
career as chairman of the
concessions and patron ser-
Nederlander Organization,
vices.
founded by his father in
Jimmy worked closely
1912, Jimmy owned and
with his son, James L.
managed a network of
Nederlander, who will be
prominent theaters across
taking over the helm of the
the country and in London,
Nederlander Organization.
England, including the
Daughter-in-law, Margo, was
Fisher Theatre and the
the emotional backbone of
Detroit Opera House locally
the family.
James M. Nederlander
and nine of Broadway’s
“The world has lost one of
premier theaters such as
its great impresarios,” said
the Neil Simon, Richard
Jimmy’s son.
Rodgers and the renowned Palace.
Jimmy demonstrated his vision and
He also produced and financed doz-
versatility by producing and presenting
ens of hit Broadway musicals and plays
work by some of the world’s most distin-
that included Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, guished performing companies, includ-
Copenhagen, La Cage aux Folles, Peter
ing the Royal Shakespeare Company,
Pan, Sweet Charity, The Will Rogers
Rudolf Nureyev and Friends, the Bolshoi
Follies and Woman of the Year and won
Ballet and Virsky’s Ukrainian State
several Tony Awards, including a special Dance Company.
one for lifetime achievement in 2004.
He showed his support for future
Jimmy was one of six children born
generations of Broadway stars; he spon-
to Sarah and David “D.T.” Nederlander,
sored the National High School Musical
who bought the Fisher Theatre and
Theater Awards, known as the Jimmy,
purchased a 99-year lease on the Detroit an annual competition that culminates
Opera House. Jimmy started his career at each June with a trip to New York, men-
the age of 7, sweeping floors at one of his toring from veterans and a night of per-
father’s theaters. As a teen, while work-
formances from dozens of young hope-
ing as a caddy, he could be counted on to fuls from across the country. He also
go straight home and give his earnings
introduced the concept of the student
to his mother, displaying the integrity
lottery ticket by allowing young fans of
and impressive work ethic that later
Rent to get seats in the first two rows of
became his trademark.
the David T. Nederlander Theatre for
He attended the Detroit Institute of
$20.
Technology, originally planning to go
In addition to his extraordinary suc-
on to law school but, instead, he went to
cess with traditional Broadway shows,
work at the Shubert Theatre, which was
Jimmy was credited with developing the
owned by his father. During his World
outdoor amphitheater concept, includ-
War II service in the Army Air Forces, he ing such premier venues as Pine Knob
worked on Winged Victory, the patriotic
Music Theatre (now DTE Energy Music
Broadway show written by Moss Hart
Theatre). His organization was also
and produced by the Army Air Forces.
the decades-long operator of the Greek
Theatre in Los Angeles, home to such
FAMILY ENTERPRISE
headline performers as Tony Bennett,
Over the next five decades, along with
Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli
his brothers, Robert, Harry, Joseph and
and Frank Sinatra.
Fred, Jimmy built and managed the-
In 1972, Jimmy and a group of friends
aters, produced dozens of live shows
founded the Theatre Hall of Fame,
and brought hundreds of big-name stars which is still housed in the lobby of the
to Detroit, establishing the city as one of Gershwin Theatre. In 1973, he partnered
the nation’s leading theater towns.
with George Steinbrenner to purchase
In 1964, Jimmy set his sights on
the New York Yankees.
Broadway, moving to New York City

MUCH HONORED
The entertainment industry showed
its high regard for Jimmy by bestowing
him with many distinguished honors,
including the United Nations Foundation
Champion Award (2012), the Broadway
League’s Schoenfeld Vision for Arts in
Education Award (2011), the New York
Pop’s Man of the Year (2008), the Special
Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement
(2004) and the Actors Fund Medal of
Honor (2002), among others. Lights
were dimmed in Jimmy’s memory on
Broadway and London’s West End.
The day before a July 29 inter-
ment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in
Birmingham, with a graveside service
officiated by Rabbi Harold Loss of
Temple Israel, a funeral service was held
at Temple Emanu-El in New York City.
The mourners included well-known
names from all aspects of the entertain-
ment world, including a rendition of the
hit song “Tomorrow” from the musi-
cal Annie, sung by none other than the
show’s original star, Andrea McArdle.
At the local service, Rabbi Loss
described Jimmy as a pioneer and a
risk-taker, an old-style businessman who
closed deals with a handshake and was
always able to see the bigger picture.
Despite his enormous success, his fam-
ily came first, and he gave his time and
resources generously to anyone who
needed his help.
“The man was brilliant in his field.
He understood the business and he did
wonderful things for the local theater
community,” said Mary Lou Zieve, long-
time friend of the Nederlander family
and current vice president of the Jewish
Ensemble Theatre. “He had a cute sense
of humor, and he was a mentsh, a good
man.”
James M. Nederlander is survived
by his wife, Charlene S. Nederlander;
son and daughter-in-law, James L. and
Margo M. Nederlander; grandchil-
dren, James M. Nederlander II and
Kathleen M. Nederlander; brothers,
Robert Nederlander and Joseph (Carol)
Nederlander.
He was predeceased by his siblings,
Harry, Fred and Frances.
Shiva services were held at the home
of brother and sister-in-law Joseph and
Carol Nederlander in Bloomfield Hills.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the Nederlander Research Foundation
GT001174 at Columbia Presbyterian
Hospital; or the Actors Fund of America
in the name of James M. Nederlander.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

ESTHER BIALICK, 97, of
Farmington Hills, died July 17, 2016.
She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Dr. Howard and
Mary Beth Bialick; daughter, Barbara
Bialick; many other loving relatives
and friends.
Mrs. Bialick was the loving wife of
the late Louis “Louie” Bialick; sister
of the late Albert (Ida) Karbal, the
late George (Isabelle) Karbal; devoted
daughter of the late Zelik and the late
Rebecca Karbal; sister-in-law of the
late Hymie (Blanche) Bialick and the
late Lena (Max) Wolk.
Interment took place at Workmen’s
Circle Cemetery in Clinton
Township. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

HAROLD
“HARRY”
NORMAN
BRAND, 86, of
Walled Lake,
passed away on
July 28, 2016, at
West Bloomfield
Brand
Nursing and
Convalescent
Center after a long
struggle of health problems.
He is survived by his beloved
wife, Barbara; daughters, Diane,
Karen and Linda; Linda’s son, Joshua
Solomon; his brother, Mitchell
Brand.

LOUISE BRYNA
CHANDLER (nee
Schostak), 86, died
July 25, 2016.
She was a teach-
er retired from Oak
Park schools.
She was the dear
Chandler
mother of Nancy
Kursman (Stephen)
and Robert
Chandler; cherished grandmother of
Jennifer Kursman, Jessica Kursman
and Eric Kursman (Katie); great-
grandmother of Eli Kursman.
Mrs. Chandler was the beloved
wife for 44 years of the late Irwin
Chandler.
Services were private.
Contributions may be made to
Song and Spirit Institute for Peace,
2599 Harvard, Berkely, MI 48072.
Arrangements by A.J. Desmond &
Sons, (248) 549-0500. Share memo-
ries at AJDesmond.com.

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Obituaries August 4 • 2016

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