Joan Rivers will be honored by Broadway theaters after all

Joan Rivers is still causing trouble -- this time on Broadway.

The late comedian, who died Thursday at 81, has become in recent days the subject of discussion among New York theater leaders over whether Broadway houses should dim their lights, a tradition reserved for prominent members of the theater community.

Rivers was an avid theater fan and even received a Tony Award nomination in 1994 for the play “Sally Marr ... and Her Escorts.” The native New Yorker was also a theater columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier, writing about New York stage productions with her signature biting wit.

But the Broadway League, the nonprofit trade association, decided on Monday that Rivers would not be honored with the dimming of the lights, telling the New York Times that the comedian had not acted on Broadway in two decades.

The decision has prompted an online petition asking the league to reverse its decision. Jordan Roth, who runs Jujamcyn Theatres, announced on Twitter this week that the company’s five Broadway theaters will dim their lights on Tuesday evening in recognition of Rivers.

On Tuesday, the Broadway League reversed its decision, citing “the outpouring of love and respect” for Rivers from the theater community. “Joan Rivers loved Broadway and we loved her,” said League executive director Charlotte St. Martin in a statement.

The League said that Broadway marquees will be dimmed at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

Two other theaters had previously planned to recognize Rivers: the New Amsterdam, which is run by Disney Theatrical, and the Helen Hayes, where Rivers acted in “Sally Marr.”

Recent figures who have been honored in such a way on Broadway include Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall and Elaine Stritch.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT

UPDATES

Sept. 9, 10:20 a.m.: This story has been updated to reflect Tuesday’s announcement from the Broadway League and to include comments from the organization.