Cleveland's Playhouse Square Will Dim Its Marquee in Honor of Local Star Kyle Jean-Baptiste

Cleveland's Playhouse Square announced this evening it will dim its marquee at 9 p.m. tomorrow, September 1, in honor of local and national up-and-coming talent Kyle Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste died on Friday, August 28 at the age of 21 after an accident at home, in which he fell off his mother's fire escape.

Playhouse Square executive producer Gina Vernaci will be joining the memorial. "BW students, faculty and friends are welcome to gather on U.S. Bank Plaza for a vigil should they wish to do so," the theater's reps said in a statement.

Kyle recently graduated with a degree in music theater from Baldwin Wallace University and performed in several shows with Playhouse Square before his big Broadway break in LES MISERABLES. Jean-Baptiste was not only the youngest 'Jean Valjean' to appear on Broadway, but he was also the first African American to do so.

The actor often appeared onstage at Playhouse Square, having starred in a musical version of LOVE STORY, as well as productions of MURDER BALLAD, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and, of course, LES MISERABLES.

Broadway's Imperial Theatre will also be dimming its lights following tomorrow's performance of LES MISERABLES. Both tributes follow a Twitter movement started by Jean-Baptiste's fans and colleagues using the hashtag #Dim4Kyle in an effort to encourage the Broadway League to dim the district's lights in his honor.