Traditionally, the lights of Broadway theatres are dimmed when an actor considered a "legend" dies. However, Jean-Baptiste made history when, at the age of 21, he was the youngest and first African-American to play Jean Valjean on Broadway.
Twitter account Annoying Actor Friend (@Actor_Friend), who provides a satirical look at what it's like to survive as a working New York actor — and is followed by numerous members of the Broadway community — was among the first to call for the lights being dimmed in honor of Jean-Baptiste. He also championed for lights to be dimmed in honor of Joan Rivers following her death.
For these reasons & more, I hope
@TheBwayLeague chooses to dim the lights in honor of Kyle Jean-Baptiste.
#Dim4Kyle
https://t.co/iXF5MxCGw2
— AnnoyingActorFriend (@Actor_Friend)
August 29, 2015
Strange and sad day on the Bway 2day. Squeeze everything out of every day shinies. Easy 2 forget that. �� u. ��
#Dim4Kyle
— Lesli Margherita (@QueenLesli)
August 30, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the family of
@BaptisteKyle & the
@LesMizBway family at this unimaginable time.
#Dim4Kyle
https://t.co/c6whEVjDkF
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical)
August 30, 2015
Hands, hearts & prayers up into the light
@lesmizbway
#HamiltonBway
#Hamilton
#kylejeanbaptiste
#Dim4Kyle
pic.twitter.com/79BN1qsINN
— D A V I D KORINS (@DavidKorins)
August 29, 2015
.
@baptistekyle was a trail-blazer and a true inspiration. what a tragic loss for our community.
#dim4kyle
— kyle beltran (@kyperbole)
August 30, 2015
#Dim4Kyle We are letting the
@thebwayleague know the impact Kyle Jean-Baptiste had on this community. He deserves t…
pic.twitter.com/IdWoVT8dJn
— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack)
August 29, 2015
Sending love & light today
#Dim4Kyle
— Ben Crawford (@crawdady21)
August 30, 2015
Keep it trending!
#Dim4Kyle
@TheBwayLeague
@Jordan_Roth
@NederlanderBway
@Telecharge
pic.twitter.com/ev0Gjgfu05
— Bway Understudies (@understudies)
August 30, 2015
History-Making Jean Valjean Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies Tragically at 21
Following Jean-Baptiste's death, the theatre community shared an outpouring of grief and support for the tragic death in Twitter.
"A remarkable young talent and tremendous person who made magic - and history - in his Broadway debut."
pic.twitter.com/144astegXh
— Les Misérables (@LesMizBway)
August 29, 2015
Very saddened by the news of Kyle Jean-Baptiste. Thoughts are with his friends and family. Major thoughts.
— Alex Brightman (@ABrightMonster)
August 29, 2015
Today I feel lucky to be alive. Everything else is just an incredible bonus. Rest in peace,
@BaptisteKyle
— Sean Grandillo (@seangrandillo)
August 29, 2015
"There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain that never dies." RIP
@BaptisteKyle
— Max von Essen (@MaxizPad)
August 29, 2015
RIP Kyle Jean-Baptiste. My love and hugs to his family. And the cast of
@LesMiserables
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth)
August 29, 2015
.
@BaptisteKyle Gave dap and respect whenever we passed. Good God. What a loss.
— Leslie Odom, Jr. (@leslieodomjr)
August 29, 2015
Life is short but was way too short for Kyle. So SO sad.
https://t.co/SftPFDcjKe
— Wesley Taylor (@WesTayTay)
August 29, 2015
I'm postponing today's
#Ham4Ham show in light of the tragic news re: Kyle-Jean Baptiste. Here he is. What a light.
https://t.co/Yq6SFC8FsH
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel)
August 29, 2015
Kyle Jean-Baptiste made history and inspired so many.
— AnnoyingActorFriend (@Actor_Friend)
August 29, 2015
He was just getting started. So sad. My condolences as well to family and cast.
https://t.co/1q6r0wmG1f
— josh groban (@joshgroban)
August 29, 2015
My heart is with all
@LesMizBway and beyond.
— Caissie Levy (@CaissieLevy)
August 29, 2015
