So...is Broadway not dimming its lights for Jan Maxwell?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:19pm

How long does this sort of announcement usually take? If anyone deserves it, it’s her. She made her living on the stage, turning in one acclaimed performance after another.

With all due respect, if Carrie Fisher, Robin Williams, and Joan Rivers warrant the lights being dimmed, Jan Maxwell certainly does. Those three were all great performers, but certainly not performers most known for their stage work (which in all three cases was limited). Not dimming the lights for Jan but doing it for them seems to send the message you need to be a major celebrity to have the lights dimmed. I hope I’m wrong.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:21pm

I am in complete agreement with this. Jan deserves it.

[binau]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:28pm

Apparently unless the publicity of 'dimming the lights' doesn't result in more ticket sales, no one can be bothered.

Historically, it looks like it can take 2-3 days for an announcement to be made so it might still be coming though.

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 10:28 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:28pm

Jan 1,000% deserves it. I did a little bit of (rather morbid) research to look into how long this usually takes.

- Robin Williams' light dimming happened two days after his death. 

- Roger Rees' light dimming happened five days after his death.

- Joan Rivers' light dimming happened within a week of her death.

- Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher's lights announcement a week and a half after their passings, a bit of an anomaly.

I'd say if there isn't an announcement by the end of the week, a petition ought to be started. But I hope someone will make the right call soon.

Edit: According to NYT, "A committee of the Broadway League, a trade association of Broadway theater owners and producers, decides who should get the honor."

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 10:28 PM

[PianoMann]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:37pm

I truly cannot fathom that they won't dim the lights for Jan. The outpouring of condolences and love from the Broadway community has been pretty voluminous. In his tribute, Brantley compared her to Frank Langella, Kevin Kline, Audra McDonald, and even Meryl Streep, all figures we know would receive the tribute; that's not nothing. It would certainly warrant outcry if they don't. 

[mw212]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:25am

If we don't dim the lights for Jan Maxwell's kind of career, I think we lose something. Not just as theatre goers, but as New Yorkers. It's lovely the big names that come to Broadway, but Jan Maxwell was a jobbing actor. She worked on Broadway and Off. She got Tony nominations, and she took jobs with smaller theatre companies. I will never forget her and Rosemary Harris doing that scene in The Royal Family (if you saw it, you know exactly what I mean) the scene where they describe why they love being actors. I never met Jan Maxwell, but she felt like a true New York actor. A true stage actor. We have to honor her because she represents what we should love about theatre, a true professional. I'm gonna go pour myself a glass of wine and listen to "Could I Leave You?" and I'm totally NOT going to cry. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:55am

i loved Jan Maxwell and if she does not warrant the lights being dimmed they should get rid of the tradition altogether. she is the epitome of the working stage actress. it would be offensive not to dim.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:30am

It's a committee...they either have to actually convene, or at least enough of them need to answer an email. I doubt these are permanent employees that are always in the office. Timing of availability likely has more to do with the decision being made than anything else.

[broadway_show_fan]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:30am

I have thought of her off and on every day since I heard the news of her passing. What an incredible talent. They should absolutely dim the lights for her.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 8:35am

qolbinau said: "Apparently unless the publicity of 'dimming the lights' doesn't result in more ticket sales, no one can be bothered.

 
That’s kind of an idiotic statement  Dead people don’t tend to sell a lot of tickets! 

 

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 08:35 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:16pm

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Jam Maxwell abruptly leave the cast of an Off Broadway show because she feared Alec Balwin's violence?

[msmp]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:25pm

Dollypop said: "Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Jam Maxwell abruptly leave the cast of an Off Broadway show because she feared Alec Balwin's violence?

"Maxwell was quoted as saying Baldwin "created an unhealthy and oppressive situation [that made her fear for her] physical safety, mental health and artistic integrity." 

You would appear to be correct. Given Baldwin's reputation, her explanation seemed plausible then and now.

On the thread topic, I really hope that they dim the lights. She deserves it, especially given previous stage personas who have received that memorial honor.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:36pm

They better dim those lights. She made Broadway BETTER. She was a creature of the THEATER. She is what it's all about.

If they don't dim for Jan Maxwell, dimming has no meaning.

 

[binau]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:55pm

JSquared2 said: "qolbinau said: "Apparently unless the publicity of 'dimming the lights' doesn't result in more ticket sales, no one can be bothered.


That’s kind of an idiotic statement Dead people don’t tend to sell a lot of tickets!

"

I mean, I was joking. But the ‘hint of truth’ is that dimming the lights is more than just an exercise of respect - it is a PR campaign accompanied by press releases about the event that can circulate into the general media. Is it a conicidence that celebrities that have almost nothing to do with Broadway get recognised? I can’t help but wonder whether this PR is intentional to get ‘Broadway’ in front of a potential market. I know this sounds conspiracy-like. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:02pm

Do we need to start some #DimForJan campaign?

[morosco]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:15pm

Everyone needs to take a quick moment and express their support by emailing The Broadway League directly at [e-mail].

The Broadway League
729 Seventh Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Main Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 04:15 PM

[binau]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:21pm

I just find it sad if we have to 'beg' for it to happen. 

[morosco]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:24pm

qolbinau said: "I just find it sad if wehave to 'beg' for it to happen."

Agreed.  We shouldn't have to ask.

[brox22]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:43pm

Just found out. I'm sadden to find out of Jan Maxwell's passing. May she rest in peace

I pray that the lights are dimmed for this lady of the stage and theat respectivly; the nostalgic overture of Follies be played in the theater 

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 04:43 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 10:18pm

Finally! An issue where we all
agree!

God bless Jan Maxwell for
(among other things)
bringing accord to BWW.com.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 10:34pm

morosco said: "Everyone needs to take a quick moment and express their support by emailing The Broadway League directly [e-mail].

The Broadway League
729 Seventh Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Main Telephone: [phone]">[phone]
Fax: [phone]">[phone]"

Thank you! I just sent my email now. Hopefully we’ll hear something by the end of this week. If not, I would think some kind of social media/ petition would be in order. 

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 12:20am

Maybe they only dim the lights for household names...names that Middle America would recognize. Such a shame... I'd hoped they'd be better than that. Let's hope our emails and postings here will convince them.

You'd think they'd just know it is the thing to do. Sigh.

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 8:19am

Remember that they dimmed the lights for John McMartin in 2016, He was beloved, but hardly a household name. Like Jan, equally adept in musicals and drama and a five-time Tony nominee. It took them a week to do it. Yes, he had a longer career, years-wise, but I hardly think that will be a deciding factor given Jan's significant accomplishments in her way too short life and the esteem in which she was held. I am optimistic the Broadway League will do the right thing, so let's all take a deep breath and have faith.

[MoveOnGypsy]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:19am

The correct email is: 

[e-mail]

I emailed them as well. I'm hoping I get some sort of response.

 

adamgreer said: "morosco said: "Everyone needs to take a quick moment and express their support by emailing The Broadway League directly [e-mail].

The Broadway League
729 Seventh Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Main Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]"

Thank you! I just sent my email now. Hopefully we’ll hear something by the end of this week. If not, I would think some kind of social media/ petition would be in order."

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:20am

MichelleCraig said: "You'd think they'd just know it is the thing to do."

Aside from the negative supposition starting this thread, no one has said they were or were not planning to do it yet.