Breaking News: League Reverses Decision; to Dim Broadway Marquees for Joan Rivers

This just in from the Broadway League, who has reversed its earlier decision to not honor Joan Rivers.

"Joan Rivers loved Broadway and we loved her. Due to the outpouring of love and respect for Joan Rivers from our community and from her friends and fans worldwide, the marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, at exactly 6:45pm for one minute."

Charlotte St. Martin

Executive Director

The Broadway League

The tide began to turn last night after an outpouring of support, with first Jujamcyn, followed by Disney, the Helen Hayes and Roundabout announcing its intention to dim their lights tonight.

Last night, Jujamcyn Theaters President Jordan Roth tweeted: "In memory of the legendary Joan Rivers, we will dim the lights of our Jujamcyn Theaters marquees, Tuesday at 6:45pm." BroadwayWorld also announced yesterday evening that we would be dimming our own logo in honor of the star, and has kept their logo dimmed for Tuesday as well in tribute.

On Monday, A Care2 petition started by Off Broadway producer Tom D'Angora demanded that the Broadway League committee reverse its decision to not dim the lights of Broadway theaters in honor of Rivers. Thus far, it has gathered more than 4,800 signatures in less than 24 hours.

VIEW THE PETITION HERE: http://www.care2.com/go/z/JoanRivers

Dimming the lights on Broadway theater marquees is an industry honor reserved for actors who have passed. The Broadway League represents theater owners and producers, but D'Angora, producer of the long-running Off Broadway hits NEWSical: The Musical and Naked Boys Singing, disagrees with the decision.

"I believe with all my heart that Joan Rivers would be deeply hurt by this short-sighted decision," D'Angora says. "Her acting was very important to her, as reflected in her documentary, and she was a Tony-nominated actress. I would like to bow my head as the lights go down for a legend -- all they have to do is flip a switch to dim the lights."

The Care2 petition asks Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League, to reverse the decision. St. Martintold the New York Times that Joan Rivers didn't meet the criteria for the honor because she hadn't acted on Broadway in 20 years. Rivers appeared on Broadway three times and earned a Tony Award nomination in 1994.