Broadway to Dim Lights in Honor of Paul Newman October 3 at 8pm

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Paul Newman, the universally admired stage and screen actor, director, and philanthropist.

The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at exactly 8:00pm for one minute.

In 1953, Mr. Newman made his Broadway debut in the original New York production of William Inge's Picnic, in which he met and fell in love with his future wife, JoAnne Woodward. Other starring roles on Broadway were in Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth, The Desperate Hours by Joseph Hayes and Baby Want a Kiss by James Costigan.

In 2003, Mr. Newman received a Tony Award nomination for his performance as the Stage Manager in the Broadway production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, which also aired as a TV production for which he received an Emmy nomination. He had previously performed the play at The Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut, which he, JoAnne Woodward and the Westport community had restored and reopened. In 1955, he had co-starred in a TV musical of Our Town with Frank Sinatra and Eva Marie Saint.

Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, commented, "For over half a century Paul Newman has graced our stages and inspired our souls with his brilliant talent. He received a Tony nomination for his inventive role as the Stage Manager in Our Town. After beginning his illustrious career on stage, his love for theatre continued throughout his life as demonstrated by the Newman family's support of the renowned Westport Country Playhouse. Off-stage, his tireless devotion to philanthropic work has enhanced many lives and worthwhile causes. His presence everywhere will be missed."

On screen, Mr. Newman has starred in more than fifty films and has also been recognized for his work behind the camera as Director and Producer.

His philanthropic generosity has forever changed the lives of many. Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have donated over $250 million to thousands of charities around the world, including The Hole-in-the-Wall Camps, Safe Water Network, Feeding America, United Nations Association, and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy.

Mr. Newman died after a long battle with cancer on September 26th at his farmhouse home near Westport, Connecticut. He was 83.

The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in over 240 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.BroadwayLeague.com.

Photo by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.