Obituaries
Broadway Marquees Will Dim for John Cunningham, Carmen de Lavallade, Bret Hanna-Shuford, More
The upcoming ceremony is the latest in the quarterly system of group dimmings at Broadway theatres.
March 04, 2026 By Andrew Gans, Logan Culwell-Block
The Broadway In Memoriam Committee announced that the marquees for all 41 Broadway theatres will be dimmed simultaneously March 10 at 6:45 PM ET to honor late artists and industry members D.L. Coburn, John Cunningham, Carmen de Lavallade, Frank Dunlop, Robert Duvall, Bret Hanna-Shuford, Harry Haun, and Isiah Whitlock, Jr.
The quarterly dimmings take place on the second Tuesday in September, December, March, and June, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude for the legacies of those who have shaped the theatrical world.
The dimming of Broadway marquees, considered among the most prestigious the industry bestows, was formerly given to select individuals. The Broadway League organized the tradition among the various Broadway theatre owners and operators. Last year, a Broadway In Memoriam Committee was formed to organize the dimmings; they codified the new quarterly group ceremony setup. The switch 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, among others; all three were ultimately upgraded to full, individual dimming ceremonies following the online outcry.
These 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 own theatres.
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. The next application deadline is May 12 for the June 9 dimming.
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