Paul Libin, a titan of the business of Broadway, passed away June 27 in New York City following a brief illness. He was 94.

Mr. Libin was a prolific artistic producer in the theatre industry, producing more than 250 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions throughout his career, in which he led Circle in the Square Theatre for 62 years and served as executive vice president and producing director of Jujamcyn Theaters for 28 years. Mr. Libin was also a pioneer of theatrical philanthropy, presiding as President of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for 24 years.

Mr. Libin was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1930. He bravely served two years in the army before graduating from Columbia University on the GI Bill. He began his life in the theatre assisting scenic designer Jo Mielziner, and in his early career, worked as an actor, stage manager, and general manager, before beginning his producing career in 1958 with a revival of The Crucible at the Martinique Theatre.

From there, Mr. Libin made foundational strides in the business of Broadway, joining Circle in the Square Theatre founder Theodore Mann in 1964 to form a working relationship that lasted 49 years. The pair mounted landmark productions at Circle in the Square, including The Iceman Cometh, Uncle Vanya, Death of a Salesman, and True West, among other classic revivals, contemporary plays, and musicals. After Mr. Mann’s death in 2012, Mr. Libin continued on as President of Circle in the Square Theatre.

Joining Jujamcyn Theaters in 1990, Mr. Libin served as executive vice president and producing director until his retirement from the role in 2017. At Jujamcyn, he played a key role in ushering groundbreaking works to Broadway such as Angels in America, The Producers, Fela!, and Love! Valour! Compassion!.

Mr. Libin's steadfast dedication to the American theatre did not stop there. Mr. Libin also served as president of Circle in the Square Theatre School, chaired The Broadway League from 2009 to 2011, and played a role in numerous Tony Awards, and other Broadway League governance and negotiating committees, as well as acting as trustee for several multi-employer pension funds for theatrical employees.

One of Mr. Libin's most remarkable legacies lies in his tenure as the president of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, where he pioneered remarkable growth in the organization’s philanthropic reach. When Mr. Libin officially retired in 2018, he was named the organization's first President Emeritus, and was honored with The Paul Libin Center at The Actors Fund. Mr. Libin's immeasurable impact with the organization is exemplified in a remark he once made when asked about the formation of BC/EFA in reaction to the early days of the AIDS crisis, stating: "We couldn't not do something." Those words, both simple and deeply profound in their call to action, aptly sum up Libin's approach both to charity and broadly to his working career, in which he always went above and beyond in his efforts to keep making progress.

Among some of Mr. Libin's many honors are the Eugene O’Neill Medallion, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House Award, and the Lucile Lortel Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award. He received 12 Tony Awards, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre in 2013, and in 2016 was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

Most recently, Mr. Libin remained actively engaged with the Broadway community, continuing his work with Circle in the Square Theatre School and presenting new hit productions at Circle in the Square Theatre, including An Enemy of the People, Romeo + Juliet, and currently, the critically acclaimed and audience favorite Just in Time starring Jonathan Groff.

His numerous accolades aside, Mr. Libin was notoriously a beloved raconteur, and was lovingly described as a "living encyclopedia of showbiz lore." 

In a statement, executive director of Broadway Cares Danny Whitman wrote: "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has lost one of its foremost trailblazers. Paul Libin, our beloved president for more than 24 years until his retirement in 2018, passed away over the weekend. Without Paul’s extraordinary support, unique professional insight, sincere—often blunt—counsel and genuine friendship, Broadway Cares as you know it now would not exist. The lives of millions in communities across the country, including Paul’s beloved Broadway theatre community, have been lifted up and their well-being assured because when we asked for his help, Paul enthusiastically said, 'Yes.' We will miss him dearly."

“Paul was there with us from the very beginning,” added recently retired Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola. “He offered his wisdom, his heart, and his unshakable belief in the lifesaving importance of our work. He wasn’t just a leader I admired; he was a friend I trusted, leaned on, and learned from. His strength, generosity of spirit, and deep decency made an indelible mark on me and everyone at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. What this organization has become, what it represents, and the people it helps would not have been possible without Paul. I will forever be grateful for his guidance, his grace, and his friendship.”

Mr. Libin is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Florence Rowe Libin;  his three children, Charles Libin and his wife Mindy Goldstein, Claire Libin, and Andrea Libin and her husband John High; and his grandchildren Travis Libin, Milah Libin, and Sasha High.

A celebration of his life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly called the Actors Fund).

“Paul was there with us from the very beginning,” recently retired Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola said in a statement. “He offered his wisdom, his heart and his unshakable belief in the lifesaving importance of our work. He wasn’t just a leader I admired; he was a friend I trusted, leaned on and learned from. His strength, generosity of spirit and deep decency made an indelible mark on me and everyone at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. What this organization has become, what it represents and the people it helps would not have been possible without Paul. I will forever be grateful for his guidance, his grace and his friendship.”