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Broadway League Stepping Away From Light-Dimming Announcements After Recent Controversies
The Broadway League will no longer be involved in announcing the dimming of marquee lights to memorialize deaths in the Broadway community.
When an actor, director, playwright, or other influential figure passes away, Broadway’s theatre owners select a date to dim their venues’ marquee lights, typically for one minute before the evening’s performances. This tradition, dating back to the early 20th century, symbolizes the individual’s contribution to the world of theatre and acknowledges the profound loss felt by the community. While the establishment of partial dimmings has always been intended as a way to broaden the scope of honorees beyond the more obvious “superstar” deaths such as Stephen Sondheim or Chita Rivera or James Earl Jones – the practice has often been interpreted as a value judgement on a performer’s merit or talent.
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