Broadway To Dim Marquee Lights For The Late ‘Wiz’ Star Hinton Battle

Broadway will honor the late actor, dancer and singer Hinton Battle with the traditional dimming of marquee lights on March 12.

The lights will dim at Broadway’s Shubert, Marquis, St. James, New Amsterdam, Samuel J. Friedman, Circle in the Square, Hayes, Vivian Beaumont and Todd Haimes theaters for the traditional one minute at exactly 6:45 p.m./ET.

“The passing of Hinton Battle has had a profound impact within the Broadway community as we mourn the loss of a true theatrical legend,” said Jason Laks, Interim President of The Broadway League, adding that Battle’s family had been consulted about the tribute venues. “Hinton Battle will be remembered for his incredible array of roles on Broadway. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.”

Battle died January 30,at the age of 67. A trained ballet dancer who studied at the renowned Jones-Haywood School of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and School of American Ballet in New York City, Battle began his Broadway career at the age of 18 starring as the original “Scarecrow” in the 1975 musical The Wiz.

He would go on to perform in some of Broadway’s most memorable roles for the next two decades. Battle won three Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, setting a record in the category, for his roles in Miss Saigon (1991), The Tap Dance Kid (1984), and Sophisticated Ladies (1981).

Other Broadway credits include Chicago (1996 Revival); Miss Saigon (1991); The Tap Dance Kid (1983); Dreamgirls (1981); Sophisticated Ladies (1981); Dancin’ (1978); and The Wiz (1975).

On tour Battle’s credits included Ragtime, The Tap Dance Kid, Sophisticated Ladies and Dancin’.