Shubert family
The Shubert family of New York City, New York is synonymous with theatre in the United States and the creation of the Broadway district as the pinnacle for theatrical productions. Founded by Duvvid Schubart and his wife Katrina Helwitz, they were a Jewish couple who left their native Poland in 1882 to settle with their six children in Syracuse, New York.
Unfortunately, David Shubert, as his name translated to English, suffered from alcoholism and was not able to properly provide for his family. In 1893, daughter Lisa died of pneumonia that was exacerbated by malnutrition. As a result of their father's problems, the three Shubert sons had to forgo much in the way of formal education and go to work at a young age. Introduced to the world of the theatre, the Shubert brothers overcame the stranglehold on the industry by the Theatrical Syndicate's monopoly under Abe Erlanger and Mark Klaw to build the largest theatre empire in the 20th century. As part of The Shubert Organization, the three surviving sisters, in one way or another, played as key a role in the business as society afforded women at the time.
Among their New York City holdings were the renowned Winter Garden Theatre at 1634 Broadway and the Sam S. Shubert Theatre at 221 West 44th Street.
The Shubert children:
- Lee Shubert (1871-1953), theatre owner/operator, producer
- Fannie Shubert (1872-1928)
- Lisa Shubert (1875-1893)
- Sarah Shubert (1876-1934)
- Sam S. Shubert (1878-1905), producer, writer, director, theatre owner/operator
- Jacob J. Shubert (1879-1963), producer, director, theatre owner/operator
- Dora Shubert (1886-1951) born in Syracuse, New York