Here is a note Gavin sent to my students for the opening night of our TMM. (This was some 16 years ago.)
hey Xxx (name removed) high green glass lovers! have a great run and stay away from the illegal booze. enjoy every moment of every show.
all the best on your opening
gavin creel (jimmy smith, original broadway cast)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Just remembered that I met Gavin in late 2017 after I was lucky enough to see him in Hello, Dolly!. I second the entire industry’s remarks on how kind he was, even on what was a FREEZING cold night.
This has just consumed the entire day for almost everyone I know. I for one, will absolutely be at the marquee dimming ceremony as I’m sure so many here will be.
This awful news has just consumed me all day. It’s beyond heartbreaking. Every new tribute makes me cry.
Getting to hear him sing “I Turned the Corner” at the Millie reunion in 2018 is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. A singular talent taken far too early.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Lucky to have seen him in all these shows: his 1st was when I was in college - Millie, La Cage, She Loves Me, Hair, Hello Dolly and his last - Into the Woods.
Agony ~ RIP!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I find myself embarrassed, because I've never met Mr. Creel, and was a casual fan who loved him in She Loves Me, Dolly and especially Into the Woods, but when I saw this pop up as i checked my phone in an elevator today, I gasped, and as I read through the various tributes on social media, i found myself tearing up.
A testament to the power of charisma, talent and charm, and the medium that exposes us to it.
I just found out because someone left a comment on my YT video, and I thought, "shut up, why would you say such a cruel thing?" I can't believe it's true. I'm devastated and weeping as if I lost someone personally even though I didn't know him. I am feeling such a profound sense of loss. I have been sobbing for 20 minutes. I keep saying to myself, this isn't real. I can't believe it's real at all. There's a reason he was and always will be recognized as one of the genuinely nicest, most talented human beings to ever grace us.
I wasn’t as fortunate to see Gavin Creel as often as most of you. I only saw him in person during the Into The Woods tour last year from the third row. He was such a delight, so hilarious, such a star.
When I saw this thread title I gasped and said, "What?!"
I only ever saw him in Into the Woods. He was the most hilarious Wolf ever. It was pretty darn amazing seeing his acting in that show. I wish I could have seen him in all his other past shows, hearing how great he was in them. And I wish I could see him in many more future shows. But I can't. And God he was such a cutie. Now I'll have to wait and see him in Heaven's shows. And now whatever recordings of him there are that I can find will be that much more special to see or hear.
Reflecting on this devastating news over the last 24 hours… I can’t help but be moved by the simultaneous beauty of the theatre community’s joint love of Gavin Creel. It takes a truly incredible person to inspire such a response.
I am still feeling saddened by this news. I was lucky to see Gavin’s performances in Hair, She Loves Me, Hello Dolly (14 times!), Waitress and Into the Woods. I remember one very chilly Saturday, rushing for Hello Dolly, Gavin and Kate Baldwin sent the largest box of munchkins & a note of appreciation for those of us waiting in the cold. Gavin truly shined on stage and I will never forget these performances. Wishing his family and friends peace during this very difficult time.
KitKatBoy24 said: "Reflecting on this devastating news over the last 24 hours… I can’t help but be moved by the simultaneous beauty of the theatre community’s joint love of Gavin Creel. It takes a truly incredible person to inspire such a response."
berniesb!tch said: "I know these things take a few days, but they have to dim the lights right?"
Of course they will dim the lights.
The League typically arranges these things in conjunction with the family of the deceased and sometimes people prefer some time.
Sometimes there is a deliberate delay (Sheldon Harnick died in June and the dimming occurred in November per his estate's wishes), sometimes it happens immediately (Hal Prince's happened the day he died and I don't recall attendance being huge because there was no advance notice).
I expect there will also be a memorial in a Broadway house organized by his friends and loved ones (be it a public memorial or a private one).
UWS10023 said: "His illness was a well kept secret. It says something about the loyalty of his friendships."
I can’t stop thinking about this as well.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
I never know who and how they choose to dim the lights - does anyone remember the controversy when they wouldn't dim the lights for Marin Mazzie? Highly offensive and they quickly changed their course. I think they should dim the lights for Gavin Creel.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
binau said: "I never know who and how they choose to dim the lights - does anyone remember the controversy when they wouldn't dim the lights for Marin Mazzie? Highly offensive and they quickly changed their course. I think they should dim the lights for Gavin Creel."
And poor Jan Maxwell. They will certainly dim the lights for Gavin, the whole community is devastated and shaken...he was so utterly talented and at the same time so kind and earnest. A true tragedy and my heart is very heavy.