Dimming Marquee Lights Question
Posted by: theatreguy40 02:04 pm EDT 10/07/24

Asking a question here --- so please don’t attack me --- just asking a question.

Amidst all the controversy surrounding the dimming of marquee lights over the recent passing of some of our wonderful Broadway performers --- I am wondering: Just what is the “requirement” to ascertain that honor of having the theatre marquees dim in someone’s passing?

Is it amount of Broadway shows achieved? Amount of awards and honors bestowed? Is it a level of commitment not only to working on Broadway but also the amount of charity work associated with Broadway? Just what is the criteria needed that makes some performers be honored by the dimming marquee lights?

Is it a combination of all of the above? Or perhaps is it also a matter of Name Recognition? What makes some performers be honored and honors not? Could it be name recognition?

We all know that casting in Theatre (be it Broadway or otherwise) is very subjective. Talent and ability is definitely in the mix to getting cast – but there is also a certain amount of pure luck. Two performers of completely equal talent, ability, likeability and equal “everything else” can be up for the same role, but only one is cast. Luck is definitely in the mix. And if that role and performer gets attention in the press and the community – that can lead to more roles in the future. And in this day of Social Media – name recognition can be ignited quickly and the fire spreads even faster.

But what about the performers who have spent decades in the theatre – specifically in the Broadway theatre – consistently working but not in roles that “ignite”? What of those who spend their careers in Broadway Ensembles? Friends and family certainly “know” their names while the majority of people do not. Why don’t they merit the honor of dimming marquee lights when they pass? They’ve worked and achieved the merit of working in the theatre (specifically in the Broadway theatre) as much as those performers who had the lucky opportunity of appearing in high profile roles. Everything being “equal” – why do the Name Recognition performers merit the honor more than those without the Name Recognition? There are many, many performers who have been in dozens of Broadway shows and who have given of themselves continuously to Charity causes but whose Name Recognition is not foremost in the public mindset.

There are so many of these hard working performers who should be honored as well.

So my question – once again – is What is the criteria for being honored by dimming marquee lights?

Again – just asking the question…
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