All of Broadway’s marquees will dim to honour the life of Gavin Creel following an outcry by theatre fans when only a partial dimming was proposed after the 48-year-old Tony Award winner’s death last month. The Committee of Theatre Owners announced that all 41 Broadway theatres would dim their lights on separate nights for Creel, Adrian Bailey, and Maggie Smith. Moreover, the committee stated that they were “reviewing their current dimming policy and procedures.”
The death of Creel on September 30 brought attention to the practice of dimming marquee lights after a notable theatre figure has passed away. While prominent figures in the industry have all Broadway theatres darkened for a minute, lesser-known figures may only receive partial dimming. In response to Creel’s passing, the Committee of Theatre Owners decided that one theatre from every theatre owner would dim their lights. A petition demanding all theatres to participate garnered over 23,000 signatures.
Actors’ Equity, representing numerous performers and stage managers, expressed their concern, emphasizing that “everyone who receives the tribute deserves the full tribute.” Playwright Paula Vogel condemned the decision of not dimming all the lights, calling it a “travesty to this brilliant actor who put money in pockets and joy in audiences.”
Creel, a veteran of Broadway musical theatre, secured a Tony Award for his role in “Hello, Dolly!” alongside Bette Midler and received nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Past instances of partial dimming were carried out for theatre producer Elizabeth Ireland McCann and Marin Mazzie. However, the decision regarding Mazzie was reversed to a full dimming following a similar public outcry.
The date for the dimming tribute for Creel and Smith is yet to be announced, while the tribute for Bailey, who appeared in 15 Broadway productions, is scheduled for October 17. This move by Broadway to honour the late actors highlights the impact and legacy left by Creel and his colleagues in the theatre community.