Elizabeth Taylor: lights dimmed in memory

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Elizabeth Taylor, legendary stage and screen star, who died on 23 Mar 2011 at age 59. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory on 25 Mar 2011 at exactly 8pm for one minute.

Paul Libin, Chairman of The Broadway League and Executive Vice President of Jujamcyn Theaters, commented, "With her remarkable talent and extraordinary beauty, Elizabeth Taylor lit up the Broadway stage the same way she lit up the silver screen. Off stage, her tireless commitment to fighting AIDS as a co-founder of amfAR and founder of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation added yet another meaningful role to the story of her life. Our thoughts go out to her friends, family, and fans ... all of those who loved her."

Taylor appeared on Broadway in the revival of Lillian Hellman's 'The Little Foxe's for which she was nominated for the 1981 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She was also nominated for the 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for 'The Little Foxes' and took home the 1981 Theatre World Special Award. Taylor graced Broadway again in 1983 as producer and star of Noel Coward's 'Private Lives' opposite her former husband, Richard Burton. She also was the lead producer on 'The Corn is Green' that same year.

The two-time Oscar-winning actress was an icon for glamour and beauty in Hollywood, but also brought life to stage classics such as Tennessee William's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" through film with her intelligent acting and emotional depth. Her career lasted more than 70 years, with over 50 films and several stage appearances. Among her many honors,in 1999 she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Born to American parents in London, Taylor began her training at a young age and eventually appeared in films after her family settled in Los Angeles before World War II began. In her later years, Taylor drew her focus to charitable works and her family. She is survived by four children, a brother and nine grandchildren.