Gavin Creel and Al Hirschfeld

The Broadway community is in an uproar over the Broadway League's decision to dim lights only at select theaters in memory of the late Gavin Creel, a beloved Tony Award-winning actor who passed away from cancer at age 48. While the League will dim lights at 11 venues, a petition initiated by theater critic Adam Feldman has garnered over 20,000 signatures calling for a full tribute across all theaters. In response to the backlash, both the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and the Al Hirschfeld Theatre have opted to participate in the tribute despite not being included in the League's initial list. The controversy has sparked discussions about the criteria used for such memorials, with Actors Equity expressing concerns over the limited tribute. Creel's legacy as a passionate advocate for the theater community has only intensified calls for a more inclusive honor. The dimming ceremony is set to be coordinated with Creel's family, with a date yet to be determined.