Beloved theatre eatery Sardi’s will close for renovations after June 24. But before it closed, and before ownership changed hands from longtime leader Max Klimavicius to The Shubert Organization, the restaurant had time to award its final portrait (for now).

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone star Taraji P. Henson received a portrait June 23, in a ceremony that was attended by members of the show’s cast, as well as Tony winner Billy Porter, Tony-winning director Kenny Leon, Todrick Hall, Nicholas Christopher, Henson’s Empire co-star Jussie Smollett, and many more. See photos from the event below.

In a speech introducing Henson, Joe Turner’s producer Brian Moreland paid tribute to Sardi’s itself, saying “what has always made Sardi’s truly iconic is its unwavering commitment to the theatre community itself, and of course, the portraits. Even today, if you’re an Equity member on a two-show day, you can come here on Wednesday or Saturday to have a half-price meal.” (Cedric The Entertainer could then be heard joking “they discontinued that after COVID.”)

The producer then pivoted to speaking about Henson, calling her, “a woman who believes that change is not a concept but a responsibility. Even then, before a single performance was seen, it was clear we were witnessing an artist who moves through the world with purpose. Taraji P. Henson has spent her entire career giving us unforgettable performances. She has captivated audiences with her power, her vulnerability, her humor, and her extraordinary ability to make every character feel fully alive.” He also noted that with her performance as Bertha in Joe Turner’s, Henson, “remind[ed] audiences why live theatre remains such a powerful force in our culture.”

Smiling with delight at the unveiling of her portrait, Henson’s acceptance remarks were brief but joyful. She noted that she “didn’t expect anything coming to do Broadway. I don’t really do this for awards or anything like that. Do my feelings get hurt sometimes when I’m not nominated or win? That’s not what I do this for. So this was a huge, pleasant surprise to me.” She then gestured to the portraits behind her, including to the one of her Joe Turner co-star Cedric The Entertainer,noting “there are a lot of greats on this wall, and to be amongst them, I guess I can call my mama and say I really made it!”

Another person who was honored Tuesday afternoon was longtime Sardi’s owner Max Klimavicius, who stood silent and smiling in a black suit while Moreland called for a round of applause, saying “Max has not only managed Sardi’s, he has protected it, he has preserved its rituals, its warmth, its sense of welcome, and its deep abiding relationship with the theatre community.” 

Sardi’s was originally opened in 1927 by Vincent Sardi, Sr. Klimavicius originally came to the restaurant as a kitchen assistant in 1974, working his way up the chain and ultimately becoming partners with Vincent Sardi, Jr. in 1991. Sardi, Jr. died in 2007, leaving Klimavicius solely running the landmark.

Earlier this year, Klimavicius announced his decision to retire, having sold the restaurant to the Shubert Organization. Klimavicius told Playbill that although he got many offers of buyers interested in Sardi’s, and who offered a hearty sum for it, he chose the Shubert Organization because of its close ties to the theatre community as one of Broadway’s biggest landlords and producers of shows. Sardi’s is also conveniently located in a building that contains the Shubert’s offices. The Shuberts have not revealed when they plan to reopen the restaurant after a multi-month renovation to upgrade the restaurant’s kitchen, plumbing, ventilation, and electric—as well as to spruce up the displays of the portraits, a long-held tradition bestowed upon theatre luminaries. 

“The Shuberts will treat this not as a restaurant, but as the institution that it has become. And they will preserve it the way I preserved it,” says Klimavicius. “This place will be here for the next 100 years.” 

And will the half-priced special for actors and stage managers continue? Smiles Klimavicius, “Yes!” Before adding, with reverence, “So long as there is theatre in New York, [Sardi’s] will be alive and well.” 

Happy trails Max!