NEW YORK – All Broadway marquees will be dimmed following the death of 48-year-old Tony Award winner Gavin Creel last month, following an outcry from theatergoers who suggested only partial dimming. .
The Board of Theater Owners announced Wednesday that all 41 Broadway theaters will dim the lights on separate nights for Creel, Adrian Bailey and Maggie Smith. The commission also said it was “reviewing current dimming policies and procedures.”
Creel’s death on September 30 put a spotlight on the practice of dimming marquee lights after the death of a prominent theater figure. A giant in the field will darken an entire Broadway theater for a minute, while others may only dim it partially.
Following Creel’s death, the theater owners committee decided that one theater from each theater owner would dim their lights. More than 23,000 people have signed an online petition asking all theaters to participate.
Actors Equity, which represents thousands of performers and stage managers, expressed concern that “everyone who has received a compliment deserves the fullest compliment,” and playwright Paula Vogel said: He said not dimming all the lights was “a travesty for this wonderful actor who has invested so much money.” Joy in your pocket, joy in your audience. ”
Creel is a veteran of Broadway musicals, having won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” She starred opposite Bette Midler and earned nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
In the past, partial dimming has been instituted for theater producers Elizabeth Ireland McCann and Marin Massey. The decision against Massey was overturned following similar protests and lapsed completely.
A date for a memorial service for Mr. Creel and Mr. Smith has not yet been announced. A memorial performance for Bailey, who appeared in 15 Broadway productions, is scheduled for October 17th.
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