Jordan Roth American theatre producer Date of Birth: 13.11.1975 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career Beginnings and The Donkey Show
3. Broadway Productions and Jujamcyn Theaters
4. Television, Fashion, and Activism
5. Philanthropy
6. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Jordan Roth, a native of New York City, spent his formative years in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Born to real estate developer Stephen Roth and theater producer Daryl Roth, Jordan was the younger sibling of an older sister. Upon returning to New York in high school, he attended Horace Mann School.

Throughout his secondary education, Roth actively participated in plays and frequently attended Broadway performances with his mother, who instilled in him a love for theater. Roth pursued both philosophy and theater at Princeton University, later earning an MBA from Columbia University's business school.

Career Beginnings and The Donkey Show

Following his graduation, Roth returned to New York. In 1999, he debuted as a producer with "The Donkey Show," an interactive disco-infused rendition of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Combining elements of theater and nightlife, the production enjoyed a six-year off-Broadway run, toured internationally, and had a weekly residence at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The New York Times lauded it as "a hoot, a bright and witty mash-up of disparate sources."

Broadway Productions and Jujamcyn Theaters

In 2001, Roth staged a musical revival of the 1975 Broadway hit "The Rocky Horror Show," which ran until 2002. The cast featured a rotating roster of celebrities, including Dick Cavett, Joan Jett, Luke Perry, Ana Gasteyer, and various guest narrators. The revival garnered four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical Revival in 2001, along with Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Awards.

Roth joined Jujamcyn Theaters as an associate producer in 2005 and became its vice president in 2006. In 2009, while still with Jujamcyn, he began his MBA studies at Columbia University. In the same year, at age 33, he acquired a 50% stake in the company and assumed the role of president, as former president and owner Rocco Landesman was appointed by President Obama to head the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2013, Roth purchased majority ownership, with Landesman retaining a minority share and the title of President Emeritus.

Under Roth's leadership, Jujamcyn Theaters has hosted award-winning productions such as "The Book of Mormon," "Clybourne Park," "Kinky Boots," "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," and "Hadestown," alongside revivals of "A Little Night Music," "Bullets Over Broadway," "Something Rotten!," "Present Laughter with Kevin Kline," "Frozen," "Mean Girls," and "Moulin Rouge!."

Television, Fashion, and Activism

Roth has appeared on television as a Broadway correspondent for MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and featured as a recurring character on NBC's "Smash." Beyond the stage, he is known for his fashion sense and has hosted Paris Fashion Week for Vogue magazine. His penchant for avant-garde styles has earned him recognition as a "red carpet magnet."

Roth hosts the "Broadway Conversations" interview series at 92nd Street Y, facilitating one-on-one discussions with Broadway actors. He has also produced and starred in the YouTube animated series "Birds & BS," which satirizes American culture in the Trump era, and publishes an online newsletter titled "Warmly Jordan." Previously, he founded the social networking website Culturalist, which aggregated user-generated "Top 10" lists.

Roth is a four-time Tony Award winner. He produced the 2018 revival of "Angels in America," which garnered 11 Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor (Andrew Garfield), and Best Featured Actor (Nathan Lane).

In 2019, Roth received the HRC Legacy Award from the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ equality.

Philanthropy

In 2007, Roth established Givenik.com, a service that allowed theatergoers to purchase discounted tickets while donating a portion of the proceeds to charity. Givenik.com supported over 500 nonprofits before ceasing operations in 2020.

Roth is a supporter of organizations dedicated to the arts, urban planning, and LGBTQ+ rights. He serves on the boards of directors for Freedom to Marry and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, as well as the Board of Governors for the Broadway League. He also supports The Trevor Project and the LGBTQ+ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Personal Life

In June 2003, Roth met Richie Jackson, a talent manager and executive producer. They married in September 2012. Roth is the stepfather to Jackson Fu Wong, Jackson's son from his previous relationship with B.D. Wong. Roth and Jackson welcomed their son, Levi Emmanuel Roth, via surrogacy in 2016.