Generous donation allows for significant restoration of the theater
(Philadelphia, March 24, 2022)—The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. today announced the renaming of the Merriam Theater as Miller Theater in honor of a significant philanthropic gift from Alan B. Miller, a founding member of the Kimmel Center Board and executive chair of Universal Health Services, Inc. The generous donation will fund significant restoration of the theater. Renovation projects will commence next year and include critical infrastructure improvements and the addition of new ADA-compliant seats.
“We are so grateful to Alan, Jill and their family for this incredibly generous gift, which will have a long-lasting impact on the theater that so many Philadelphians know and love,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “This extraordinary philanthropic commitment will aid in both beautification and accessibility efforts, as we revitalize this treasured space on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. In addition, I would like to thank Anne Ewers for her critical role and partnership with Mr. Miller on this important project. We look forward to welcoming generations of visitors to the Miller Theater for years to come.”
“Alan’s passion for history and the restoration of historic sites, combined with his love of the arts, makes his exceedingly generous naming of this theater a perfect match,” said Anne Ewers, former president and CEO of the Kimmel Cultural Campus. “As a founding member of the Kimmel Center Board, Alan has played a pivotal role in supporting the performing arts in Philadelphia for decades. We are thrilled to see the Miller name on the marquee and look forward to witnessing the transformation of this beloved icon on the Avenue of the Arts.”
“I’ve always been an admirer and supporter of the arts and its enriching impact on life,” said Alan B. Miller. “To be associated with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center by offering my family’s namesake to the iconic Merriam Theater is a privilege. I am delighted to be able to support the Avenue of the Arts in this way and hope that generations to come will enjoy the experiences offered here.”
Alan B. Miller is executive chair of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS), which he founded in 1979. UHS, a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest and most respected providers of healthcare services in the nation. It owns and operates more than 400 facilities in 39 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. Miller also serves as founder, chair of the Board, and president and CEO of Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust.
Miller has received numerous awards for his business and charitable activities. In 2019, he received the Distinguished Civilian Award from the Ben Franklin Global Forum in recognition of the company’s Patriot Support Program, which provides behavioral healthcare for active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Miller was also named to the Forbes list of “America’s Most Innovative Leaders.” He has been named by Modern Healthcare as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” for 17 consecutive years (2003-2019). Miller has received the George Washington University President’s Medal, the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League, and the Chairman’s Award from the United Negro College Fund, among others. At graduation from William & Mary in June 1958, Miller was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served with the 77th Infantry Division for six years. He retired with the rank of Captain.
Miller served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Kimmel Center and served a second term from 2008 to 2016. He is also a past Trustee of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and Chairman Emeritus of Opera Philadelphia. In addition, he served on the Board of Overseers and on the executive board of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he earned an MBA degree.
About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc.
On June 17, 2021, The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Kimmel Cultural Campus announced a pathbreaking partnership to create a brighter, more inclusive, innovative cultural future for Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. On December 2, 2021, the new organization was formally ratified, and is now reimagining the power of the arts to bring joy, create community, and effect change—to uplift all Philadelphians. We bring the greatest performances and most impactful education and community programs, in-person and digitally, to the diverse audiences of our city and beyond.
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Alyssa Moore
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