The Committe of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of a select group of Broadway theatres for late Tony winner Gavin Creel, who died September 30 at the age of 48. The Circle in the Square, Eugene O'Neill, Helen Hayes, Marquis, New Amsterdam, Samuel J. Friedman, Shubert, Stephen Sondheim, St. James, Studio 54, Todd Haimes, and Vivian Beaumont theatres will dim their marquees for a minute on a date to be determined with Creel's family.

Creel, a Tony winner for his performance in Hello, Dolly!, died following a battle with cancer. He was previously nominated for his Broadway debut performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie and the 2009 revival of Hair. His Broadway performances also include La Cage aux Folles, The Book of Mormon, She Loves Me, Waitress, and Into the Woods.

Read Creel's full obituary here.

Marquee dimming is usually done by all Broadway theatres as organized by The Broadway League, though select theatres can elect to do an individual dimming in situations where the League is unable to secure the participation of all theatre owners. The theatres who are participating in Creel's limited dimming ceremony include at least one venue from every theatre owner represented on the Main Stem, including The Shubert Organization, The Nederlander Organization, Ambassador Theatre Group, Disney Theatricals, Roundabout Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Second Stage, and Lincoln Center Theater.

The partial dimming is unusual but seems to be becoming increasingly frequent. A partial dimming was announced for The Wiz star Hinton Battle following his passing earlier this year, but became a full dimming after online outcry. A partial dimming was also recently announced for late Jelly's Last Jam and The Wild Party star Adrian Bailey.

Theatre journalist Adam Feldman has launched an online petition in an effort to get the theatre owners and League to give Creel a full dimming. 

READ: 'If You Are Alive, LIVE': Broadway Community Pays Tribute to Gavin Creel

“It is hard to fathom the loss of Gavin Creel,” says Broadway League Interim President Jason Laks in a statement (the League, which counts producers and theatre owners in its membership, coordinates dimming ceremonies). “Not only was he an actor of the highest caliber, but he was also a committed activist and champion for so many causes both within and outside of our industry. Gavin gave of his whole self to our community, both in his performances and his charitable work. The Broadway community is lucky to have known him both as an actor and an individual, and to have benefited from the joy that he brought into so many people’s lives.”

The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway industry representing more than 700 members from nearly 200 national and international markets, including theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers as well as suppliers of goods and services to the commercial theatre industry.

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From Millie to Waitress: Look Back at Gavin Creel On the Stage

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