Photo Flash

Theater Gets Renamed for Stage Legend John Cullum

The two-time Tony winner was on hand to celebrate the honor on October 16.

| Off-Broadway |

October 19, 2015

John Cullum (center) poses with Michael Rego, Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown's original Hope Cladwell), Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman (Urinetown authors), Matthew Rego, and James Jennings, the Artistic Director of The American Theatre for Actors — John Cullum (center) poses with Michael Rego, Jennifer Laura Thompson (*Urinetown*'s original Hope Cladwell), Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman (*Urinetown* authors), Matthew Rego, and James Jennings, the artistic director of the American Theatre for Actors
(© Lyn Hughes Photography)

The American Theatre of Actors and the Araca Group renamed their off-Broadway house, the Chernuchin Theatre, after two-time Tony Award winner John Cullum on Friday, October 16.

The renaming ceremony followed a performance of Fracture Theatre Company's production of Urinetown: The Musical. Fittingly, the Chernuchin was the place where Cullum debuted his performance as Cladwell B. Cladwell in the Tony-winning musical before it moved to Broadway.

The plaque Cullum was given reads as follows:

"On April 1, 2001, a band of intrepid players began performances of the Off-Broadway premiere of Urinetown: The Musical at the American Theatre of Actors. Among that eclectic company was two-time Tony Award winner John Cullum. Through his passion, vigor and dedication, he helped lead this most unlikely of shows through ten sold-out weeks before it transferred to Broadway’s Henry Miller’s Theatre, where Urinetown ran for nearly 1,000 performances and won three Tony Awards. To celebrate that spirit and inspire future generations who might find a home here, we rename this theatre in his honor."