SUNDAY BRUNCH: A Mighty Pebble
Gavin Creel sent ripples beyond Broadway
Theater folks
One of the things “civilians” have a hard time understanding about theater people (especially performers) is how lonely they can be. Even in the midst of cheering crowds or surrounded by a loving ensemble, it is possible to feel all alone.
Admirers are often attracted by a “spell” that is cast by by actors and singers. They have been lured into passion by the performance, a carefully staged creation meant to draw attention. And when the applause dies and the autograph seekers disperse, it takes a true friend or lover to remain.
Walk on Through
For some reason, I decided to watch a musical created by the great Broadway performer, Gavin Creel. It’s called “Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice.” He wrote the music and lyrics and performs most of the show with an incredible band and a few guest performers.
The show was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, went through several years of development, and features 17 works of art from the Met’s collection. Gavin’s favorite was the painting pictured above, “Smashed Strokes Hope” by Joan Snyder.
It took Creel 20 years of living in NYC before he stepped foot in the Met and his story has as much to tell about loneliness and longing to connect as it does about art appreciation. It’s also a beautiful tribute to the emotions that are stirred by enjoying art on both sides of the creative process. Thankfully, the Met continues to make the entire show available on YouTube. It’s not perfect, but if you love art and you love Gavin, it’s a treat.
Gone too soon
Creel, who died last year at the age of 47, knew a lot about the act of creating. And he knew a lot about loneliness. He grew up as a gay kid in Ohio, attended the University of Michigan, and immediately went to work as a triple-threat theater performer, starring in “Fame” on the road, then on to Broadway in 2002 in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” co-starring with the great Sutton Foster. You can see a dicey bootleg recording of “TMM” here.
With his charm and talent, Creel became a busy performer, winning an Olivier Award in 2014 for his London performance as Elder Price in the hilarious musical, ‘The Book of Mormon.” He performed the song live on the awards telecast and brought the house down.
And he won a Tony Award in 2018 for his Broadway role as Cornelius Hackl in “Hello, Dolly!” starring Bette Midler. Here are clips from his two big songs (you might recognize them from the Disney film, “Wall-E”). It’s not just the singing, it’s the perfectly nuanced portayal of a guileless shop assistant from Yonkers who finds love.
Gavin as a pebble
There is no doubt that Creel was a theater animal, gifted in every way, but in “Walking Through” he also describes feeling mentally “scattered” as he connects with an abstract Jackson Pollack painting. Creel’s lifelong search to understand himself included a strict adherence to meditation, journaling, and reading.
Through his “scattered” ideas and enthusiasm, Gavin became like a “pebble” whose ripples spread across the waters way beyond the place where it lands.
Six-time Tony Winner Audra McDonald told “The View” that her desire to play Mama Rose in the current groundbreaking Broadway production of “Gypsy” was inspired by a discussion at Thanksgiving dinner with Creel, who insisted that Rose be played by a black mother.
Other ripples include:
Participation, support, and promotion of “Broadway Inspirational Voices,” a diverse group of performers committed to supporting social change.
Serving on the board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, a powerhouse group that raises money for AIDS-related causes.
Created the organization, Broadway Impact, which fought for marriage equity laws.
Developed and performed in Dustin Lance Black’s play, “8” based on the federal trial that led to the overturn of Proposition 8, which made gay marriage illegal in California.
Taught numerous classes and seminars for young performers.
Performed in countless benefits and fundraisers, resulting in some classic performances.
That’s a lot to accomplish in one long life, let alone one that ended much too soon. Well done, Gavin. You truly changed the world.
Learning about Gavin for this post made me think of the words of Clarence the Angel from the film, “It’s a Wonderful Life”:
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?
A happy end
After much heartbreak, Gavin did find love with the partner who was with him when he died. He also had many devoted friends among the theater community. Stupid cancer appeared in July 2024 and he was gone by September. Way too soon.
Gavin’s friends paid tribute to him in a ceremony held at the St. James Theater last December with a moving finale performed by the “tribe” of “Hair.”
You will find some fabulous footage throughout this two hour (!) tribute reel created by a fan. Check out the performances he created with Andrew Rannells and Aaron Tveidt.
More resources:
The 2016 Broadway production of “She Loves Me” is available on Broadway HD with a subscription. It is delightful.
Gavin Creel’s obituary (gift article, New York Times).
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