The lights of all 41 Broadway houses will dim for one minute September 9 at 6:45 PM ET in memory of Broadway's artists who have recently passed, the second in a new program of quarterly group ceremonies. Tonight's ceremony is given in honor of George Wendt, Beth Newburger, Edie Cowan, Mark Brokaw, Paul Libin, Richard Greenberg, Cleo Laine, Jack Batman, and Lloyd Williams.

The honor, considered amongst the most prestigious the industry bestows, was formerly given to select individuals. The Broadway League organized the tradition amongst the various Broadway theatre owners and operators, but gave it up to the newly formed Broadway In Memoriam Committee earlier this year. The switch, which accompanied the new quarterly group ceremony setup, was done in response to controversies over individual ceremonies, or a lack thereof. Online criticism was harsh at a lack of full dimming ceremonies for Gavin Creel, Hinton Battle, and Adrian Bailey, amongst others; all three were ultimately upgraded to full, individual dimming ceremonies following the online outcry.

Those wishing to submit an industry member for inclusion in the ceremonies can do so at BroadwayMarqueeInMemoriam.org. Submissions require the individual's name, year of birth and death, a description of their work on Broadway, and a digital photo.

However, the group memorials do not preclude a more traditional solo affair. The Broadway In Memoriam Committee is still able to honor single individuals with their own ceremony should they be deemed to have had "a profoundly significant and lasting impact on Broadway." The organized event also does not prevent individual theatre owners from planning tributes at their individual theatres.

Producer and philanthropist Paul Libin has been selected for that extra top honor, and will be memorialized with a solo dimming ceremony at all Broadway theatres at a later date to be announced.