STAGE TUBE: Broadway Honors Natasha Richardson

Theatres on Broadway dimmed their lights for a minute on Thursday, March 19th in honor of one of its brightest lights, Natasha Richardson, who passed away on Wednesday from head injuries after a skiing accident.

Her husband, Liam Neeson joined the caring crowds to witness the tribute, the actor was comforted by his close friends Ron Rifkin, Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick.

Broadway came together to pay their respects to Richardson, Neeson attended the event with his late wife's mother Vanessa Redgrave and other family members.

Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, commented, "The Broadway community is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our finest young actresses, Natasha Richardson. Her theatrical lineage is legendary, but her own singular talent shined memorably on any stage she appeared. On Broadway, her brilliant performances in Cabaret (Tony Award-winning), Anna Christie (Tony Award -nominated), A Streetcar Named Desire, and Closer demonstrated a pinnacle of excellence ... both emotionally and intellectually ... that electrified those fortunate enough to be sitting in the theatre and experiencing her magic. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and audiences; we will miss her."

Ms. Richardson received a 1998 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes' revival of Cabaret. She appeared most recently on Broadway in 2005 as Blanche Du Bois in A Streetcar Named Desire; in 1999 starred in Closer, and in 1993 played the title role Anna Christie in a tour-de-force performance. She also has an impressive list of London theatre credits, as well as numerous notable film and television roles.

A descendent of a famous British family of celebrated actors and directors, Ms. Richardson is the daughter of Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson and Tony-Award winning actress Vanessa Redgrave. She is the niece of actors Lynn and Corin Redgrave, granddaughter of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, sister of Joely Richardson, wife of Liam Neeson and mother of their two sons.

Along with her mother Ms. Redgrave, she participated in a staged reading of A Little Night Music at the Roundabout Theater in January of this year.