The
Committee of Theatre Owners on Wednesday said all 41 Broadway
theaters would dim their lights on separate nights for Creel,
Adrian Bailey and Maggie Smith. The committee also said it was
“reviewing their current dimming policy and procedures.”
The death of Creel on Sept. 30 put the spotlight on the practice
of dimming marquee lights after a notable theater figure has
died. While giants in the field get all of Broadway theaters
dark for a minute, lesser figures may only have partial dimming.
Creel's death prompted the Committee of Theatre Owners to decide
that one theater from every theater owner would dim their
lights. An online petition demanding all theaters participate
was signed by over 23,000 people.
Actors' Equity, which represents thousands of performers and
stage managers, expressed their concern, saying “everyone who
receives the tribute deserves the full tribute." Playwright
Paula Vogel said not dimming all the lights was a “travesty to
this brilliant actor who put money in pockets and joy in
audiences.”
Creel was a Broadway musical theater veteran who won a Tony for
“Hello, Dolly!” opposite Bette Midler and earned nominations for
“Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Partial dimming in the past has been enacted for theater
producer Elizabeth Ireland McCann and Marin Mazzie. The decision
on Mazzie was overturned to a full dimming after a similar
outcry.
The date for the dimming tribute for Creel and Smith has yet to
be announced. The tribute for Bailey, who appeared in 15
Broadway productions, is set for Oct. 17.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|