Theatre News

Broadway pays tribute to Robin Williams

Lights were dimmed and the cast of ”Aladdin” led a curtain call singalong

Lights were dimmed at theatres across Broadway last night in honour of Robin Williams, following his suicide on Monday (11 August 2014).

"Robin Williams was a comedic genius with limitless talent and stunning versatility who left this world far too early. He made an impact on everyone he met or entertained," said Charlotte St Martin, executive director of The Broadway League.

"Whether on screen or live on stage, his multi-faceted talent always created memorable performances. Robin Williams will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans."

His iconic film roles included Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society and Mrs Doubtfire.

Williams' stage career included a performance off-Broadway as Estragon in a 1988 Lincoln Center Theater revival of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. He made his Broadway debut in July 2002 in the comedy show Robin Williams: Live on Broadway and returned in July 2011 to star in Rajiv Joseph's play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.

He also famously voiced the role of the Genie in the 1992 Disney animated film Aladdin, which has been adapted for the Broadway stage.

Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart, who is playing the Genie in the stage production, led the cast and audience in a singalong of "Friend Like Me".

Read TheaterMania's obituary of Robin Williams