Chicago’s JAM Theatricals and Phillie’s SMG sign management agreement for National Theatre

Look for the marquee of the National Theatre to light up 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue more often. The Trustees of the National Theatre Corporation (NTC), in Washington, D.C., have just announced that they have entered into an arrangement with Chicago-based JAM Theatricals, Ltd. and Philadelphia area-based SMG that will expand the presentations at the historic National Theatre to include an annual Broadway series, concerts, leading classical artists and other attractions.

JAM and SMG are combining to provide booking, advertising, marketing and promotional services, venue management and operational support for the theatre.

The National Theatre, opened in 1835, is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the nation. Over the years, the Theatre has hosted a multitude of memorable events, including the pre-Broadway presentation of the musicals Showboat, Hello Dolly! and West Side Story.

SMG manages venues with more than 1.75 million arena and theatre seats and more than 14 million square feet of exhibition space. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking/ programming, construction/design consulting and pre-opening services. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide.

Chicago-based JAM Theatricals presents and produces Broadway engagements throughout North America. Under the direction of co-founders Arny Granat and Steve Traxler, Jam Theatricals manages subscription seasons in more than 30 cities. Jam Theatricals and its principals are the recipients of five Tony Awards® for producing Glengarry Glen Ross (Best Revival of a Play, 2005), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Best Musical, 2005), The History Boys (Best Play, 2006), August: Osage County (Best Play, 2008) and Hair (Best Revival of a Musical, 2009).Jam Theatricals will be producing this season’s 30th Anniversary revival of Glengarry  Glen Ross by David Mamet starring Al Pacino.

At this time, the next production on the National’s roster is the return of the 25th anniversary national tour of Les Miserables (Dec 12-30.) SMG and JAM Theatricals announced that they will bring new productions to DC soon. We asked Bob Papke, VP of Live Entertainment for SMG if they might start before Les Mis? “… if the right opportunity presents itself.”