Theater giant Schoenfeld dead at 84

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NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Famed Broadway theater impresario Gerald Schoenfeld has died at his home in New York at the age of 84, the Shubert Organization said.

The New York native and World War II veteran had been chairman of the organization since 1972. The group owns and operates one Off-Broadway and 17 Broadway theaters, as well as the Shubert Theater in Boston and the Forrest Theater in Philadelphia. It also manages the National Theater in Washington. Schoenfeld was also the head of the nonprofit Shubert Foundation.

The New York Times said the cause of Schoenfeld's death Tuesday has not been released.

"I suppose as far as the decision goes to do a play or not do it, we do have tremendous power," Schoenfeld, a graduate of the University of Illinois, once told The Washington Post. "It's the ultimate decision. But beyond that, we're the ones who solicit the major authors, the major creative people, the major directors. For all this power we supposedly have, we're really wooing them. You have to woo a Michael Bennett or a Bob Fosse."

Schoenfeld is survived by Pat, his wife of 58 years; a brother, Irving; a daughter, Carrie Schoenfeld-Guglielmi, and two grandchildren, the Times said.