In honor of the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier, New York City has temporarily renamed the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway as Jackie Robinson Way. The event included a press conference where MLB commissioner Rob Manfred gave remarks. Robinson’s eldest grandchild, Sonya Pankey, was present as well as former Major Leaguers Willie Randolph and CC Sabathia, as well As Butch Huskey.
The newly constructed New 42nd Street Studios will feature a large column-free floor space, sprung dance floors, mirror walls, and theatrical lighting. It will house seven non-profit performing arts companies as well as a 199-seat experimental theatre. The new theater is named after Doris Duke, who founded the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The New 42nd Street Studios was opened June 21, 2000 and has been continuously operating at full capacity ever since.