Photos and Footage: In Memoriam... Broadway Dims Its Marquees for Roger Rees

The Broadway community mourned the loss of Tony Award-winning actor and Tony-nominated director, Roger Rees, who passed away last Friday at age 71, by dimming the Great White Way's theater marquees in his memory tonight, July 15th, at 7:45 p.m. for one minute. Scroll down for footage and photos of the special moment to honor the one-of-a-kind star. And in honor of the event, read what legendary PHANTOM Hugh Panaro had to say about his experiences with Rees working on THE RED SHOES.

Roger Rees began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played Malcolm in the Trevor Nunn 1976 stage and 1978 television production of MACBETH. Most famously, Rees created the title role in the original production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKELBY, David Edgar's stage adaptation of the Dickens novel, winning both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1982. He also starred in the original production of THE REAL THING by Tom Stoppard in London in 1984.

In 1995, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in INDISCRETIONS. He succeeded Nathan Lane in the role of Gomez in the Broadway musical adaptation of THE ADDAMS FAMILY. His last West End appearance was in the acclaimed production of WAITING FOR GODOT opposite Ian McKellen.

Rees achieved acclaim as a noted stage director, including PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, which he developed first at Williamstown Theatre Festival, then La Jolla Playhouse, and in New York at New York Theatre Workshop, followed by a run on Broadway, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Director (the play won five Tony Awards).

Rees' last Broadway appearance was the starring role of 'Anton Schell' in THE VISIT, opposite Chita Rivera, which opened April 23, 2015. Additional Broadway credits included THE WINSLOW BOY, UNCLE VANYA, THE REHEARSAL and LONDON ASSURANCE.

In November 2004, Rees was named Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, only the fourth person to hold the post in its half century history.

On television, he appeared intermittently on the long-running series "Cheers" as the English tycoon Robin Colcord. Later television appearances include "My So-Called Life," "The West Wing," and "Warehouse 13." His film career began in 1983 when Bob Fosse cast him to star in STAR 80. Rees played the 'Sheriff of Rottingham' in Mel Brooks' film, ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS.

Rees is survived by his husband, playwright Rick Elice.

The dimming of Broadway Marquees in honor of Roger Rees pic.twitter.com/yNOFj4Ztim

- evan (@ejparker45) July 15, 2015

Celebrating Roger Rees and thinking of you, Rick Elice, as we dim the marquee lights - Andrew Flatt (Facebook)