UPDATE: Helen Hayes to Dim Lights in Honor of Joan Rivers; Petition to Reverse B'Way League Decision Up to Nearly 5K Signatures

As BWW reported earlier today, Disney has announced that they will join Jujamcyn Theaters in dimming the lights of the New Amsterdam theater, the current home of the hit musical ALADDIN, to pay homage to late comedian Joan Rivers. Now, The New York Times reports that The Helen Hayes Theater, where Rivers starred in 1994's "Sally Marr ... and Her Escorts," will also dim its lights on Tuesday evening. The Hayes, which is independently owned, is the current home to Broadway's Rock of Ages.

Last night, Jujamcyn Theaters President Jordan Roth tweeted: "In memory of the legendary Joan Rivers, we will dim the lights of our Jujamcyn Theaters marquees, Tuesday at 6:45pm." BroadwayWorld also announced yesterday evening that we would be dimming our own Logo in honor of the star.

On Monday, A Care2 petition started by Off Broadway producer Tom D'Angora demanded that the Broadway League committee reverse its decision to not dim the lights of Broadway theaters in honor of Rivers. Thus far, it has gathered more than 4,800 signatures in less than 24 hours.

VIEW THE PETITION HERE: http://www.care2.com/go/z/JoanRivers

Dimming the lights on Broadway theater marquees is an industry honor reserved for actors who have passed. The Broadway League represents theater owners and producers, but D'Angora, producer of the long-running Off Broadway hits NEWSical: The Musical and Naked Boys Singing, disagrees with the decision.

"I believe with all my heart that Joan Rivers would be deeply hurt by this short-sighted decision," D'Angora says. "Her acting was very important to her, as reflected in her documentary, and she was a Tony-nominated actress. I would like to bow my head as the lights go down for a legend -- all they have to do is flip a switch to dim the lights."

The Care2 petition asks Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League, to reverse the decision. St. Martintold the New York Times that Joan Rivers didn't meet the criteria for the honor because she hadn't acted on Broadway in 20 years. Rivers appeared on Broadway three times and earned a Tony Award nomination in 1994.

"I started the Care2 petition because she gave so generously to the Broadway community. This is our chance to thank her and show her our love and respect," D'Angora says. "The New York theater community loves Joan Rivers and we demand she be honored."

As of this report, there has been no word as to whether the Shuberts or the Nederlanders will follow suit in dimming the marquees of their respective theater houses.

Rivers died on Thursday, September 4th at the age of 81. The cause of death is currently under investigation. She was hospitalized on Aug. 28 after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at a doctor's office. The comic wrote and starred in 1971's Fun City," starred in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound" in 1988, and wrote and starred in "Sally Marr...And Her Escorts" in 1994, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She was a strong supporter of Broadway and the arts. Her funeral, held over the weekend, was attended by such stars as Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters and Tommy Tune. Audra McDonald and Hugh Jackman performed.

Care2 (www.Care2.com) is a community of 25 million standing together for good. People are making world-changing impact with Care2, starting petitions and supporting each other's campaigns to help individuals, animals and the environment. A pioneer of online advocacy since 1998, Care2 is a B Corporation, or social enterprise, using the power of business as a force for good.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski

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