So much of American popular culture is the work of Black artists. One of the original art forms that America can take credit for is jazz, which was created by Black musicians. Rock and roll began with White performers re-recording songs by Black performers. Even the acclaimed musical comedy, another American original, draws as much from Black performers and minstrel shows, as it does from European operettas. As the 20th Century unfolded, Hirschfeld's drawings captured a great deal of the impact Black artists had on the performing arts in America.

On the ocassion of the the re-opening of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Louise Hirschfeld recalls how it got that name

Arthur Gelb was a towering figure at The New York Times.  His autobiography City Room skillfully describes his ascent from copy boy to Managing Editor.