Broadway's Major Shift: A New Tribute to Artists

In a remarkable turn of events, Broadway theater owners have agreed to dim the lights at all 41 venues in tribute to the beloved musical theater performer Gavin Creel, who sadly passed away at the age of 48 on September 30. This decision comes in response to significant public backlash over their initial plan to honor him at fewer than one-third of the theaters.

Alongside Creel, the theaters will now also dim their lights for two other notable figures who recently left us: British stage and screen legend Maggie Smith and actor Adrian Bailey. The dimming for Bailey is set for October 17, while schedules for Creel and Smith's tributes will be coordinated with their families.

The Controversy Behind the Decision

The Broadway League, which represents theater owners, communicated this decision in a statement sent out on Wednesday. This long-standing tradition of dimming the theater lights is rich in history but often fraught with controversy, as the decision-making rests squarely within the hands of just nine entities that own the majority of Broadway theaters. These owners evaluate each artist's contributions to determine whether they merit recognition and how extensive that recognition should be.

The situation escalated recently when the League announced a limited dimming for Creel—originally set for just 11 theaters, then extended to 12 after including the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, where he starred in "The Book of Mormon." Social media erupted with criticism, leading several productions to distance themselves from the League’s initial stance. Notably, the cast of "Moulin Rouge!" pledged to dim lights in honor of Creel at the Al Hirschfeld Theater, while Pulitzer-winning playwright Paula Vogel called for Tony voters to consider resignation in protest.

Response from the Industry

Actors’ Equity, the labor union for performers, voiced strong opposition to the limited approach, stating, “Everyone who receives the tribute deserves the full tribute.” Their stance reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the selective remembrance of artists, prompting calls for reforms in how honors like these are allocated.

With mounting pressure from the community and industry, the theater owners, predominately led by the Shubert and Nederlander organizations, which manage nearly two-thirds of Broadway houses, have committed to reviewing their light-dimming protocols. Proposed reforms include establishing a panel of independent experts to decide when and how to honor artists, holding regular ceremonies to celebrate all contributors upon their passing, or even reassessing the entire practice.

Understanding the Light-Dimming Ceremony

So, what exactly is the light-dimming ceremony? Typically, event organizers turn off the theater facade lights for one minute about 15 minutes before the start of the shows, an act that serves as a poignant tribute. The trend has seen theaters display the names or images of the honorees on digital marquees while family members and colleagues gather to pay their respects.

This moment of reflection represents more than a ritual; it is a call to honor the incredible talent that graces Broadway's stages. As the community pushes for more comprehensive recognition of its artists, it remains to be seen how the owners will navigate the complexities of honoring legacy in an evolving theater landscape. Will Broadway's tribute practices change for the better? Only time will tell!