Broadway Theaters Will Dim Their Lights for Brian Friel, Dead at 86

Broadway theaters will dim their lights in honor of Tony-winning playwright Brian Friel, who passed away on October 2 at age 86. The theater marquees will be dimmed in his memory on December 8 at exactly 6:45pm for one minute.

"Known as a gifted storyteller whose work achieved international acclaim for over four decades, Brian Friel’s writing explored social and political life in Ireland through lyrical dramas which played notably on the Broadway stage,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and many fans.”

Born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, Friel was one of Ireland's most prominent playwrights. He penned 24 published plays, two short-story collections and three unpublished and eight published adaptations or versions, most notably from Ibsen, Chekov and Turgenev. On Broadway, Friel’s works included Philadelphia, Here I Come, The Loves of Cass McGuire, Lovers, The Mundy Scheme, The Freedom of the City, Faith Healer,Translations, Dancing at Lughnasa and Wonderful Tennessee.

Dancing at Lughnasa won three Tonys in 1992, including Best Play. Lovers (1969) and Philadelphia, Here I Come (1966) both received Tony nominations for Best Play.