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The Lena Horne Theatre was officially unveiled in New York City on Tuesday, becoming the first Broadway theater named after a Black woman.
What was previously called the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (and the Mansfield Theatre before that) now displays the name of late actress and activist Lena Horne on a sparkling marquee.
Horne, who was also a renowned dancer and singer, is a veteran of five Broadway shows, according to Broadway Direct. Her performance in “Jamaica” earned Horne a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 1958. And in 1981, she received a Special Tony Award for “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.”
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The trailblazing performer also won multiple Grammys, among other awards, and had a lengthy career in film and television – with credits including “Cabin in the Sky” (1943) “Stormy Weather” (1943) and “The Wiz” (1978).
