Jordan Roth — The Bare Magazine

We are thrilled to have six-time Tony-award winning producer, Jordan Roth, grace our January 2022 digital cover. Jordan is best known as a theatrical innovator, championing shows that push the boundaries of Broadway and creating unique experiences for audiences. As President of Jujamcyn Theaters, he oversees five Broadway theaters, presenting some of the most influential and successful shows on Broadway including Grammy and Tony Award-winning Best Musical Hadestown, and the Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Book of Mormon, Moulin Rouge, and the upcoming revival of Funny Girl.

Jordan is credited for helping to bring Broadway back to life this summer with the reopening of Springsteen on Broadway. He recently "brought art to life on the Met Gala's carpet in a custom coat of many colors by Michael Sylvan Robinson, a textile artist and queer activist" as covered by Vogue.

He took us from his bare, chilled at-home elegance to his cool street style. He chats with us all about his endeavors and passions. Jordan is a fierce creative force who is upfront and open with his spirit and what drives him. Tune in below for Roth realness!

Jeans: AG Sweater: Celine Jeans painted by Jordan’s son Levi

The Bare Magazine: You've been involved with theatre for over 20 years. In what ways do you feel it evolving and strengthening?

Jordan Roth: I have always been excited by expanding the canvas of Broadway. The stories we tell, who tells them, what they sound like, what they look like, what they feel like. 20 years ago, you could look at a show and say “that’s a Broadway musical,” or “that’s not a Broadway musical,” and those words had meaning. Broadway then was more a kind of work than a platform for work, as it is becoming more and more now. And that’s why we can hope to continue seeing shows that are unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Bare: What upcoming productions are you looking forward to most and why?

JR: I CANNOT WAIT for Beanie Feldstein in Funny Girl. I’ve watched the film over and over since I was a kid, but it’s never been revived on Broadway, so I’ve never seen it live. Everything is aligning to make this one of those Broadway-lover’s-fantasy-come-true shows.

Bare: What are some calming stress management rituals you partake in on a regular basis?

JR: I learned Transcendental Meditation several years ago, but my practice was somewhat sporadic until the beginning of the pandemic. I now meditate twice a day, every day and it has become a profoundly meaningful and fundamental part of my life.

Bare: You are such a fan of fashion and creation. What designers/artists have been compelling and inspiring to you lately?

JR: I’ve just recently started wearing Lùchen and I find the work so fascinating and thrilling. It is both deeply conceptual and exquisitely executed, which doesn’t always happen together. I first wore Lùchen to the opening of Slave Play, and it was a piece that defied categorization in the most subtle and smart ways. Coat, dress, tailored, flowing, black, white, yes, it is all of that. The second was a mesmerizing patchwork of hues and images, including blinking eyes dotted throughout on hidden iPhones, which I wore that to the MoMA film benefit, because if we’re celebrating film, you know I’m gonna wear one!

Bare: Your stunning mane of curls co-star in our photos! Are they in some ways a security blanket, a valued accessory? And new curl care tips/products you can share?

JR: Actually, I’ve been fighting my curls for most of my life. Relaxers, keratin, cutting, blowouts and more blowouts. If we had taken these photos two years ago, there’s no way I would have let you see my natural hair (even enhanced by the brilliant Nathaniel Hawkins). Truthfully, I hadn’t even seen it. But over these last two years, I’ve come to love it. In some way, I think it’s a physical manifestation of growing into myself. It didn’t make sense at each of the shorter lengths because I wasn’t yet seeing all of it, all of me. Now it does.

As for everyday products, I love Innersense. Organic, clean, no synthetic fragrances or toxic chemicals. I use the hair bath and conditioner for curly hair, towel dry, then a few drops of John Masters organic argan oil and Innersense leave-in curl control and let it air dry.

Bare: You have had some great makeup looks for a night on the town. What are some go-to products that you keep on hand to enhance your handsome face?

JR: I’ve recently gotten into Now Solutions, especially the Hyaluronic Acid Firming Serum, and all the Ogee lip stains.

Dress: Grandma Sylvia’s Necklace: Kris Ruhs Floral Necklace as bracelet: Marni Wood bracelets: Grandma Sylvia’s Paper bracelet: Kiff Slemmons Ring: Art Smith Boots: Margiela

Bare: For our shoot you chose some clothing from your personal collection, including jeans your son used as a canvas to a special dress from your grandmothers closet. Can you tell us more about these special pieces and how what you wear is an important form of expression for you?

JR: Levi has an artist’s spirit and my husband and I always try to give him as much creative space as possible to explore. One day when we were drawing together, that space became my jeans. After an initial knee-jerk “oh no!”, I thought “why not, let’s go!” and it’s become a ongoing canvas he adds to over time. And of course, my favorite piece of clothing ever!

The knit dress belonged to my grandmother Sylvia, who died two years ago, just a few weeks shy of her 98th birthday. Throughout her long, extraordinary life, she loved to travel and seek out local artists and artisans to both connect with them and take home a special piece with its own story. Just a few weeks ago, my aunt Dale gave me this dress and told me its story. In the 70’s, they took a trip together to Italy to visit my grandmother’s dear friend Christina, who suggested they visit a small local knit factory (which we later learned also made clothes for a then burgeoning label, Missoni). She of course made friends with everyone there and spent hours picking out her yarn colors for the dress. Turquoise was her signature color, so I imagine that was first pick. Years later, she passed the dress on to Dale, who has now passed it on to me.

Bare: Who are some of your icons or heros who constantly inspire you?

JR: My grandmother and my mother have always been. And I learn from Levi every day.

Bare: You're a shining example of someone who is totally open and true to you -- how does it feel to be a great inspiration to others who may struggle with identity and expressing themselves?

JR: We all struggle with identity and expressing ourselves. It’s a daily process. But it is extraordinarily gratifying when people share with me that watching me be me helps them be them. That’s the essence of inspiration - it’s not ‘where’d you get that look,’ it’s ‘where’d you get that feeling.’