Broadway to dim lights for Richardson

NEW YORK, March 19 (UPI) -- The marquee lights of Broadway's theaters are to be dimmed for 1 minute as a tribute to actress Natasha Richardson, who died Wednesday in New York.

The British-born wife of actor Liam Neeson -- and the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and late director-producer Tony Richardson -- was taken off of life support after suffering a serious head injury during a Canadian skiing accident Monday. She was 45.

Playbill.com said Broadway's lights will be dimmed in her honor at 8 p.m. Thursday.

"The Broadway community is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our finest young actresses, Natasha Richardson," Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, said in a statement to Playbill.com.

"Her theatrical lineage is legendary but her own singular talent shined memorably on any stage she appeared. On Broadway, her brilliant performances in 'Cabaret,' 'Anna Christie,' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'Closer' demonstrated a pinnacle of excellence … both emotionally and intellectually … that electrified those fortunate enough to be sitting in the theater and experiencing her magic. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and audiences; we will miss her," St. Martin said.