Quarterly "Broadway In Memoriam" Light-Dimming to begin in June 2025

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 2:31pm

This is great!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-to-Introduce-Quarterly-Broadway-In-Memoriam-To-Honor-Theater-Legends-20250314

The newly formed Broadway In Memoriam Committee, composed of theatre owners in consultation with industry service organizations, has established “Broadway In Memoriam,” a quarterly tradition dedicated to honoring the remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on Broadway.

Taking place four times a year on the second Tuesday of September, December, March and June, this solemn and celebratory event will recognize multiple honorees, ensuring that the contributions of Broadway’s most influential artists, creators, and industry professionals are remembered and revered.

The marquees of all 41 Broadway theaters will be dimmed simultaneously, on each Broadway In Memoriam evening, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude for the legacies of those who have shaped the theatrical world.

Creative professionals who have worked on Broadway and career professionals dedicated to the Broadway industry may be submitted for consideration by completing the online form at https://broadwaymarqueeinmemoriam.org.  The submission form requires the name of the individual to be honored, year of birth and death, a description of their work on Broadway, and a digital photo. Photo requirements can be found on the site.

Exceptions may arise where the Committee chooses to honor a singular individual who has had a profoundly significant and lasting impact on Broadway, such as Stephen Sondheim or Chita Rivera. This process doesn't preclude individual theatre owners having their own tributes at their theatres for employees or artists particularly meaningful to them they wish to recognize. These exceptions would not be part of the Broadway In Memoriam evening.

The inaugural Broadway In Memoriam will take place on June 10, celebrating Broadway veterans who have passed away in 2025, with the list of honorees announced in advance. The event will provide a moment for the Broadway community and theatergoers alike to celebrate the lives of those who have helped define the magic of Broadway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 2:37pm

I think this is great. But now we’ll have constant arguments over who deserves to have one of the singular dimming ceremonies. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 2:50pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I think this is great. But now we’ll have constant arguments over who deserves to have one of the singular dimming ceremonies."

Those who don't get solo dimmings should be pretty obvious.

There might occasionally be grey area...years from now, do Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty get solo-dimmings, for example? Even they would probably admit they're not on the status of Sondheim or Chita Rivera (the two examples that the committee cited), despite major achievements.

I don't expect people like Gavin Creel or Michael McGrath or Ken Page or Ann Reinking or even Maggie Smith (who won a Tony but appeared on Broadway four times) would meet the solo dimming criteria.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 2:54pm

My criteria, which means absolutely nothing, is 'If you can imagine naming a theater after them, they get a dimming.' 

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 2:59pm

I think this is a positive move away from the random, always controversial, and somewhat arbitrary individual dimmings.  I still wish this included some last lasting memorial, like a plaza ground or a wall, that people could visit, since opportunities to actually observe the dimming are limited.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/14/25 at 3:03pm

Menken Fan said: "I think this is a positive move away from the random, always controversial, and somewhat arbitrary individual dimmings. I still wish this included some last lasting memorial, like a plaza ground or a wall, that people could visit, since opportunities to actually observethe dimming are limited."

The Theater Hall Of Fame exists in the lobby of the Gershwin Theatre for this purpose and inducts eight people annually:

"To be eligible for induction, the theater professional must have given 25 years distinguished service to the American Theater and, at least, five major production credits on Broadway. The annual ballot is voted upon by over 275 members of the Theater Hall of Fame and American drama critics. There are 10 categories and over 50 nominees from which to vote. The final eight nominees receiving the most votes are ratified for the annual induction."

The opportunity to view the dimming is not like Broadway shows themselves: limited, and located within a few blocks of midtown Manhattan. Like funerals, the Dimmings are a way to help the living process that person's death.

Updated On: 3/14/25 at 03:03 PM