Update!

Joan Rivers Getting Broadway Send-Off After All—but Not Without Stirring Up a Little Controversy

Some theaters to dim lights in honor of the late comedian

By Brett Malec Sep 09, 2014 4:43 PMTags
Joan RiversE! Entertainment

UPDATE: Charlotte St. Martin of the Broadway League announced in a statement Tuesday, "Joan Rivers loved Broadway and we loved her. Due to the outpouring of love and respect for Joan Rivers from our community and from her friends and fans worldwide, the marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, at exactly 6:45 p.m. for one minute."

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Joan Rivers is getting a Broadway send-off after all—but not without stirring up a little controversy in true Joan fashion!

Earlier this week, the Broadway League and its executive director Charlotte St. Martin ruled that that the late 81-year-old comedian didn't meet the criteria to have NYC theaters dim their marquee lights in her honor. But now, some theaters are going against that ruling and are dimming their lights Tuesday night to pay tribute to the legendary Fashion Police host.

Disney Theatrical Productions will dim the lights of the New Amsterdam Theatre Tuesday, as will all five Jujamcyn Theaters-owned venues. Off-Broadway producer Tom D'Angora also started a petition asking the League to reverse its decision (the online petition has almost 5,000 signatures so far).

While Broadway is still divided over the decision to dim theater lights for Rivers, who passed away Thursday, some Hollywood stars have taken to social media to rally in support of the movement.

Modern Family funnyman Eric Stonestreet tweeted Monday, "Broadway execs WON'T dim lights for Joan Rivers. Aww aren't they so cute with their little meetings on their light dimming power and such."

Rivers last appeared on Broadway in 1994 in Sally Marr...and Her Escorts. The production, which she wrote and starred in, earned her a Tony nomination. She also appeared in several other productions from 1972 to 2012.

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