Theatrical Producer and Owner. When Lee was eleven years old, his family emigrated to Syracuse, New York from what was then Russia. Lee and his brothers Jacob and Sam, borrowed money to purchase several theaters in upstate New York. Seeing a greater opportunity in New York City, they leased the Herald Square theatre in 1900. While Jacob stayed at home to manage and expand their holdings, Lee and Sam moved to Manhattan. At the time, the Theatrical Syndicate had a lock on the majority of theaters, so their shows were staged in rented circus tents. By 1910, many theatre owners had become disillusioned with the Syndicate and opted to join the Shubert's new Independent National Theatre Owners's Association. By 1929, the Shubert chain included Manhattan's Winter Garden, Shubert and Imperial theaters along with a thousand theaters throughout the United States. Lee also worked to attract back to the theatre stage actors who had been disillusioned over how they were treated by the Syndicate. One of those was Sarah Bernhardt who Lee convinced to return after she swore never to return to the United States. Some of the other stars appearing on their stages include Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Fred and Adele Astaire, and Cary Grant. Their well known musicals in the 1940s include the "Ziegfeld Follies," "Ten Little Indians," and Cole Porter's "You Never Know." Lee is credited with being the key creative partner of an organization that was the dominant player in legitimate theatre in the 20th century. Today The Shubert Organization continues to be the largest theatre owner on Broadway. Lee was married to Marcella Swanson, a musical comedy and dramatic actress.
Theatrical Producer and Owner. When Lee was eleven years old, his family emigrated to Syracuse, New York from what was then Russia. Lee and his brothers Jacob and Sam, borrowed money to purchase several theaters in upstate New York. Seeing a greater opportunity in New York City, they leased the Herald Square theatre in 1900. While Jacob stayed at home to manage and expand their holdings, Lee and Sam moved to Manhattan. At the time, the Theatrical Syndicate had a lock on the majority of theaters, so their shows were staged in rented circus tents. By 1910, many theatre owners had become disillusioned with the Syndicate and opted to join the Shubert's new Independent National Theatre Owners's Association. By 1929, the Shubert chain included Manhattan's Winter Garden, Shubert and Imperial theaters along with a thousand theaters throughout the United States. Lee also worked to attract back to the theatre stage actors who had been disillusioned over how they were treated by the Syndicate. One of those was Sarah Bernhardt who Lee convinced to return after she swore never to return to the United States. Some of the other stars appearing on their stages include Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Fred and Adele Astaire, and Cary Grant. Their well known musicals in the 1940s include the "Ziegfeld Follies," "Ten Little Indians," and Cole Porter's "You Never Know." Lee is credited with being the key creative partner of an organization that was the dominant player in legitimate theatre in the 20th century. Today The Shubert Organization continues to be the largest theatre owner on Broadway. Lee was married to Marcella Swanson, a musical comedy and dramatic actress.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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