The Off-Broadway League has announced that numerous Off-Broadway theatres will dim their lights August 4 in memory of James Houghton. The founder of Signature Theatre passed away August 2 at age 57 after a long battle with stomach cancer.
Among the participating theatres are the Theater Center, Barrow Street Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, Lucille Lortel Theatre, Minetta Lane, Orpheum, Playwright Horizons, Daryl Roth Theatre, DR2, Player’s Theatre, The Public Theater, Second Stage, Davenport Theatre, Westside Theatre and Theatre Row. The lights will be dimmed at 7:45 PM.
OBITUARY: JAMES HOUGHTON, FOUNDER OF OFF-BROADWAY’S SIGNATURE THEATRE, DIES
“Jim was an exemplary leader for the entire Off-Broadway community,” said Adam Hess, president of the Off-Broadway League, in a press statement. “His passion, vision, and unwavering support of artists truly inspired and transformed the landscape of New York theatre.“
Following his diagnosis, Mr. Houghton announced in March last year that he was stepping down from helm of the Signature to focus on his health and family. Under his leadership, the organization opened the Pershing Square Signature Theatre Center—the largest new theatre center in New York City in nearly 50 years—with a mission to honor and celebrate the playwright.
The Signature was the first theatre to dedicate a full season to a living writer's body of work. During his tenure the Signature devoted complete seasons to the works of Lanford Wilson, Romulus Linney, John Guare, Adrienne Kennedy, Sam Shepard, Paula Vogel. Horton Foote, Athol Fugard,Maria Irene Fornes, Bill Irwin and many others.
Mr. Houghton is survived by his wife Joyce O’Connor, children Henry and Lily Houghton, parents Joan and Sherrill Houghton, and siblings Scott Houghton, Susan Houghton Devine, Lynne Houghton and Trish Houghton Line.
